1. Landscape plays an important role in each story, as a
mnemonic device, as a reflection of the narrator''s state of mind,
as a catalyst for insight and change. Discuss how landscape is used
a s a literary device, particularly in "Taken for Delirium" and
"The Distance to Delphi."
2. The evolving relationship of the narrator with her father,
her sons, and her husbands provides a link between the stories in
this collection. Discuss the parallels in these male familial
relationships and compare them with the role that women - mothers,
sisters, and friends - play in the narrative.
3. Although this is the story of one woman''s life, it is rich
in universals. How does the author accomplish this? To what extent
is this a book about times and places as much as the author''s
particular experience?
4. Dreams and visions figure prominently in several stories,
especially "King of the Cowboys, Queen of the West" and " Song of
the Japanese White-eye." What purpose do they serve?
5. The collection takes its title from the first story, but the
lion also appears in later stories. What is the significance of the
lion in each story? In the collection?
6. The structure of the book is episodic: this is not the full
story of a woman''s life from age 7 to 47, but rather, it sets in
high relief distinct moments in a life. How does this structure
mirror the themes of the book? How does the author help the reader
make the leap from story to story without filling in all the
gaps?
7. The collection contains elements of magic realism, a style
associated largely with Latin American writers. Discuss this,
taking into consideration the lush writing style, the prevalence of
myth and symbol, and the surreal interplay of real and dream
worlds, especially in the final story, "The Day of the Dead."