Yellow Crocus (Ibrahim)

Discussion Questions
1. Who is your favorite character and why?

2. Mother-child relationships are a central theme in Yellow Crocus. How do you think the setting affected that relationship for all people?

3. In your family history, did anyone have a close relationship with a nanny or caregiver?

4. What, if any, parallels do you see between the culture and the central conflicts of the narrative in Yellow Crocus and in our current society?

5. What were some of the key experiences that Lisbeth had that changed her understanding of the world in which she lived?

6. Lisbeth reaction to Edward’s raping the field hand was naive. Miss Anne’s reaction was nonchalant. Who’s reaction was more surprising to you?

7. Early in the book, Mattie seemed certain she would never try to escape, yet by the end she did. What do you think changed for her?

8. Most people born into Lisbeth’s situation would have gone on with the status quo. If she had not seen Edward rape the field hand, do you think she would have married him?

9. What was surprising to you? Was there anything you could not believe?

10. What specific themes did the author emphasize throughout the novel? What do you think he or she is trying to get across to the reader?

11. Did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? If so, why did you feel that way? Did this lead to a new understanding or awareness of some aspect of your life you might not have thought about before?

12. Did the book affect the way you think about slavery? If so, how?

13. How did you feel about the ending? Did it seem realistic to you? Were there any other endings you could imagine?
(Questions provided courtesy of the author.)

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