Discussion Questions

1. As the story opens, Gilbert watches from a distance as the woman he was once engaged to marries someone else. How would you explain his reasons for needing to be there? Do you believe it helped or hurt in his efforts to move on from Annemarie? How do you feel about the term closure?

2. When Mary agrees to assist Dr. Russ with research while ignoring Gilbert’s desperate summons to meet him under “their” tree, how do you interpret her motives? Did she do the right thing, or only cause more problems between them? What are your thoughts about Mary’s ongoing loyalty to Gilbert, despite their troubled history? Would you call it foolishness or faith?

3. In the early twentieth century, nurses often didn’t receive due respect for their contribution to patient care. How much do you think this has changed over the years? Are there any nurses in your family or circle of acquaintances? Discuss the evolving role of nurses in today’s health care system.

4. Gilbert’s mother, Evelyn Ballard, continues to meddle in her sons’ romantic lives. Why do you think she shows such intolerance toward those outside her social class? Do you have any sympathy for her? Any hope she’ll someday change? Have you had experience with anyone like her?

5. Is Nell McClarney, Mary’s mother, any less meddlesome or biased? Why do you think she suppressed the truth about her late husband’s drinking? How has it influenced her opinion of Gilbert? Can you recall a time when you unfairly judged someone because of something in your own past?

6. Mary is unnerved when she first realizes her mother and Dr. Russ are falling for each other. Identify several reasons why the relationship frightens her. What changes in your life have seemed worrisome at first but then turned into blessings?

7. What are your impressions of Gilbert’s relationship with Katrina Frederick? Mrs. Frederick believes she has been ostracized because she is German. Name other ethnic groups in America who have been shunned, maligned, or mistreated as a result of wartime prejudice. Do you believe threats to our security ever justify such prejudice, especially against U.S. citizens?

8. What does the Fourth of July mean to you? Describe how you usually spend the Fourth. Now imagine the holiday through Gilbert’s eyes. Can you understand why many combat veterans, especially those dealing with post-traumatic stress, choose to avoid the noise and crowds?

9. When in their relationship do you think Gilbert realized he’d fallen in love with Mary? Why do you think it took so long for him to confess his love aloud? Identify the key events in Gilbert’s character growth. At what point did you come to believe he’d really changed?

10. Can you understand Mary’s reasons for pushing Gilbert away? Given what she knew of him at the time, did she have grounds to be distrustful, or was she only giving in to fear? Recall a time when someone broke your trust. What did it take before you were able to forgive and risk trusting that person again . . . or are you still struggling with the issue?

11. Gilbert finally reaches the point where he is ready to turn control of his life over to God, even if it means giving Mary up. Have you ever let go of something or someone in complete trust that God’s plan was better? What was the result?

12. Gilbert’s accident threatens to destroy his hope just when he’d gotten on his feet again, both figuratively and literally, and yet his injuries become the turning point that brings Mary back to him. In light of his disability, what do you think enables Gilbert to embrace marriage to Mary when he refused to do so with Annemarie when he came home from the war? How do you see the future unfolding for Gilbert and Mary?