Discussion Questions for The Price of a Child
- Examine the “voice” in Cary’s novel. What do we hear/when do we hear from Ginny? What do we hear and when from Mercer? Consider Stepto’s description of how voice functions in slave narratives. What are the significant similarities and differences between Stepto’s thesis and Cary’s rendering of voice in her novel?
- Examine the “incidents” in the novel. What are the key events that Cary dramatizes? How does the order of these events affect our experience of the story? How do the development and description of events contribute to the way that the story functions?
- Compare/contrast William Still’s account of Jane Johnson’s escape to Cary’s fictional rendering of it. What has she changed; what has she kept the same? What explanations could you offer for her choices?
- Compare/contrast Jacobs’ and Douglass’ narratives to the novel. What are the significant similarities and differences? To what extent can we note that their stories were written in the mid-19th century and Cary’s novel was written in the late 20th century?
- Examine Cary’s integration of historical people, places, and events into the novel. Do you find it effective? How so? In what way? Are there places where it works better than in other places?
- Discuss the resolution of the novel. How satisfying is it? Could Cary have ended Mercer’s story differently? Why/Why not?
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