The Great Unexpected

What other elements of magical realism can you find in the text? Is magical realism, as embodied by this text, compatible with your own worldview? Why or why not?

Could the novel convey the same major themes were it not a work of magical realism? Consider the third theme and the idea that if fantasy and reality are compatible, then this means what seems to be fantasy is actually real.

Research any symbolism associated with rooks. What might this symbolism add to the text’s meanings? Why might Creech have chosen rooks and blackbirds instead of cardinals and redbirds, for example? Consider rooks as chess pieces; are there any connections to be made between the rook’s role and the text?

Look for additional examples of foreshadowing in the text. What events are foretold, and how are they hinted at?

How would the text be different if it were narrated by another character, like Sybil, Nula, or even Lizzie? What would be lost? What would be gained?

Consider the role of forgiveness in the text. What does the text suggest about the power of forgiveness?

Lizzie is very concerned with blood relations and who is related to whom by blood. Nula suggests that sharing “blood” is less important than other considerations. What does Creech suggest about family and how a family is created?

Consider the characters’ names: Fionnuala is called Nula, Mrs. Mudkin can never say Naomi’s name right, Paddy calls himself Finn, Kathleen goes by Mary, and last names like Pilpenny, Mudkin, and Scatterding seem to convey meaning via their sound similarities to other words. Analyze the role of these names and how they help to develop the characters and themes.