Ring Shout

Discuss the role of magic in the novella. How does it contribute to the novella’s themes? Use specific examples to support your response.

Identify an important symbol of the novella and discuss the role of the symbol. How does the symbol impact the narrative or its broader themes?

What is the function of the notations in the novella, and how does their presence reinforce its themes?

Analyze Maryse Boudreaux’s development as a character. How does she change throughout the novella? What events and interactions with other characters force her to change?

Characters such as the narrators in the notations, Maryse, and Chef manage to survive dangerous and horrifying situations. Discuss the sources of their resilience, supporting your discussion with specific examples from the text.

To what uses do characters in the novella put Black folklore, language, and culture? How does Clark’s representation of these uses reinforce the novella’s themes?

Analyze the ending of the novella. Speculate on why Clark chose to end the novella as he did. Is the ending satisfying or not? Explain the rationale for your response.

Research the historical context of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s. How does Clark’s depiction of the Klan as literal monsters impact his representation of the period?