To help prepare for discussions, exams, and essays over Animal Dreams, write out complete answers to the following questions (from the first third of the novel):
1. On page 4 it says, “People count too long on the oblivion of children.” What do you think that means? Explain your answer.
2.What imagery does Kingsolver/Codi use to describe Grace? Use adjectives to describe how it is portrayed and give specific examples for support.
3. On page 15 Codi says, “I’d never had a teacher who looked like me…” What do you think she looks like? Describe her physical characteristics, as you see her.
4. On page 33, Codi says “This is how life is, ridiculous beyond comprehension.” To what incident is she referring? In what other ways is life ridiculous? Provide your own examples.
5. Codi talks about “a strange disjuncture that comes from reconnecting with your past.” She goes on to say “There’s such a gulf between yourself and who you were then.” How do you think you will have changed 10 or 15 years from now? What about your life now may seem strange, silly, ridiculous, or wonderful to you when you are a decade (or so) older?
6. Why do you think Codi has always tried to make sure she never slept alone? How has that fear of being alone affected her choices? Provide specific examples.
7. Codi tells the reader that “Memory is a complicated thing, a relative to truth but not its twin.” How does this apply to your own life?
8. How does Codi describe her childhood? Provide specific examples from the novel for support.
9. List adjectives to describe the following characters based on the information Kingsolver includes in the novel: Codi, Hallie, Homer, Emeline.
10. How does Kingsolver’s use of language apply to the significance of the novel? Focus on her use of figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, etc.), writing style and tone, and choice of details.
