|
|
Book Club / Reading Group
questions for discussion: Daughter of the Forest
(from the Tor Books Reading Group Guide)
1. The book begins with
Sorcha as a child, naive and innocent regarding rhe brutality of her father's
methods of safeguarding his realm. Not until the capture, and her subsequent
nursing of the Briton called Simon, does she begin to see this harsh reality.
How does this knowledge colour her perceptions of her debt to Simon - and
later, to Red - and how does it prepare her for the trials that await her?
2. The Lady Oonagh and the
Lady of the Forest are likened to two sides of the same coin, just one of a
number of dualities that are echoed throughout the book. Discuss some of the
other examples and how they may reflect some of the author's objectives in
both plot and message.
3. Discuss the role of
Nature in the book, not only as a source of healing, sustenance and protection
for Sorcha's people, but as a character that contributes to both plot and
action. Is the author effective in bringing the natural world to life, and if
so, what conscious decisions do you think she made to achieve this difficult
goal?
4. Once Sorcha is in the
keeping of Lord Hugh (Red), how do the rumours spread by the local townsfolk
about her compare to the claims about the inhumanity of the Britons to
her own people? What is the author saying about prejudice, ignorance and fear?
5. Discuss the characters
of Sorcha's six brothers, and describe the role each takes in furthering the
plot. Are they fully-realized characters?
6. The Fair Folk are
portrayed as powerful supernatural forces, godlike in their enchantments, but
petty, jealous and vain. How does this behaviour reflect the belief system of
the Celtic people? How does it differ from the fledgling Christianity that is
shadowed in the book?
7. Discuss the various
roles of the supporting women in the book, especially Lady Oonagh, Lady
Anne, and Elaine. What traits do they all share? How does the author's
presentation of female characters compare to her portrayals of the main male
characters?
8. One of the major motifs
of the novel is that of absence. Both of Sorcha's parents are absent from her
life in different ways: her mother physically, her father spiritually and
emotionally. How do these absences help to develop Sorcha's character? In what
ways does Sorcha create different bonds due to her parents' absence? How would
the presence of her mother change Sorcha's character?
9. Sorcha was anticipated
to be the 'seventh son of a seventh son.' She remains very conscious of the
fact that she is a woman among a world of men, and the novel often examines
instances where Sorcha appears to fail to fulfil expectations. Look for other
instances of Sorcha's apparent failures. Are these moments, in fact, moments
of weakness or strength? In what ways do these failures lead Sorcha to
ultimately accomplish greater goals? How would you define the terms 'failure'
and 'success' in terms of this novel? How does Sorcha seem to fail in her
greatest task? What revelations does failure bring her?
10. Sorcha's tale takes
place in two lands separated by a distance both geographical and ideological.
Compare and contrast Sevenwaters and Harrowfield in terms of social order,
belief systems, the way authority is secured, and the enemies and allies
Sorcha finds in each place. What are the greatest dangers to be suffered in
each community? What are the greatest strengths of each community?
|