| The “Reading Group Questions
and Topics for Discussion,” which can be found on pages 307-08 in
the novel or at the link below (“Questions for Discussion”),
invite you to consider the major themes, issues, and conflicts raised
by Clay’s Quilt. They also encourage you to think about your own
experiences—including your reactions to the story—in relation
to the novel.
As you work with the novel,
you may also want to consider the following:
- "Memory is central to Clay’s Quilt. Nearly everything
in Clay’s surroundings reminds him of something from the past.
How do our memories shape our present experiences? Does the retelling
or revisiting of memorable moments change them and, if so, how? How
does Clay’s Quilt explore or use these ideas?
- One of the most common ways that we identify ourselves is by where
we’re from. Often, the name of a place invokes cultural assumptions
and associations about the people who reside there. How does Clay’s
Quilt help us understand how a sense of place shapes identity and how
people look at the world?
- "Clay’s Quilt is divided into three sections: a brief prologue;
part 1, which is called “A Crazy Quilt”; and part 2, titled
“Flying Bird.” How does House use the structure of the book
to help the story unfold? What differences are there between the two
main parts of the book? How do these two parts fit together?
- "What do the characters’ or places’ names represent
or say about the characters or locations? You may wish to read the interview
with Silas House that starts on page 297, in which he talks about his
decisions about names.
- "What does Clay’s Quilt suggest about traumatic events
and how people react to them? What does the book seem to say about the
role of violence?
- "The natural surroundings are vital to the story. In particular,
how does House use the weather or the season to set the mood or tone,
or to reflect the events that are happening or will happen?
- "Cake warns Clay that
if you have to change for someone, that person’s not worth it.
In contrast, Clay says that life is about change, and seems to believe
that some changes can be positive. How does the book explore both views?
Can they both be right? Or does the book eventually support one view
over the other?
If you’d like to learn
more about Appalachia and other aspects of the book’s setting or
topics, you may wish to start with the following websites, which will
provide you with search tools, links, and recommendations:
http://lib.murraystate.edu/silashouse.htm
Murray State University’s Waterfield Library’s Clay’s
Quilt page presents print and online resources available as you read and
work with the novel.
http://www.aca-dla.org/
The Digital Library of Appalachia provides online access to materials
and resources about the southern and central Appalachian region and culture.
http://cva.morehead-st.edu/
The Center for Virtual Appalachia offers three main sections: the Library
of Appalachia, which will allow you to search books, articles, newspapers,
and multimedia resources; the Quilt Collection, which displays over 200
traditional quilt blocks and descriptions; and the PhotoTour, which displays
a searchable database of Appalachian places, landscapes, people, and events.
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