1. "Dunk the dead by lightning in a cold water bath for two
hours and if still dead, add vinegar and soak for an hour more."
(p. 1) In this opening passage, how is Beth's mother revealed
through her scrapbook, through her gallows humour and her rather
brutal method of remembering the fragile determination of a
butterfly? What does it say about the circumstances of Beth's
childhood?
2. "The scrapbook was my mother's way of setting down the days
so they wouldn't be forgotten. This story is my way." (p. 2) How is
Beth's approach to memory-keeping different from her mother's?
3. "When it came looking for me I was in the hollow stump by
Turtle Creek . . ." (p. 3). What is this "it," also variously
referred to by Beth as "the thing," or as Coyote? How does Beth's
attitude to "it"/Coyote change through the course of her story? Who
ultimately wins, and how?
4. In this threatening landscape, women and livestock are
closely guarded from dangers both real and perceived. Bells are
tied around the necks of the livestock to keep track of them. Bells
are given as love tokens. And Nora, too, wears bells. When Beth
hears the bells tinkle, what does it often mean? What is their
association for her?
5. Bertha describes Coyote as a complex devil figure, linked to
the madness of world events. "Of course the old men here wouldn't
agree with that," she says. (p. 170) Consider Bertha's description
of Coyote, of the mix of good and evil that he brings and of his
sorrow and regret. What does this say about her worldview? Do you
see this version of Coyote reflected in any of the characters in
the novel?
6. Beth's mother remains generally distant, only revealing
herself through the pages of her scrapbook, which she guards from
Beth, and in her mutterings to her own dead mother. She appears to
have a wish to protect Beth, yet continually places her in
jeopardy, and it's unclear if she's aware of the extremity of
Beth's trauma. What is Beth's perspective on her mother? Do you
think she will forgive her? Could you?
7. The colour red - the colour of berries, of beet wine, of
lipstick and of blood - carries great significance in the novel. Do
you see a pattern in its associations, for example with sexuality,
with violence, with nature and with the lives of women?
8. When Bertha hears of Beth's lightning arm, she tells Beth the
story of Lightning and Mosquito who were both attracted to the
sweet blood of a young girl. (p. 171) What do you think the
lightning strike means to Beth in light of Bertha's narrative?
9. Beth feels pulled by the desire coming from Dennis, from Nora
and from Billy. How do the three differ in who they are and what
they want from Beth? How are they similar? What is it about each of
them that attracts Beth?
10. Men do not have the fear of Coyote that women, children and
livestock share. The only exception is Billy. Why is he pursued by
Coyote? What is their relationship?
11. Why doesn't Beth leave? What is really keeping her on the
farm?
12. Some characters have totem animals associated with them; for
instance Coyote Jack and Bertha with the birds. Do you see any
other totem animals in the novel? What do they mean to Beth?
13. There are many recipes and anecdotes from Mrs. Weeks'
scrapbook reproduced in Beth's story. What do they lend to the
narrative? Will you try any of the recipes? Are there any
scrapbooks or recipes passed down through your family? What do they
mean to you?