Staggerford Discussion Questions -- Pages 1-90

1.) What pictures does Hassler paint of Staggerford’s students?

2.) What pictures does Hassler paint of Staggerford’s teachers?

3.) What does the story of Agatha and the poet Herschel Mancrief illustrate? (see pp. 16-25)

4.) How would you describe the style and tone(s) of the novel? For example, would you consider this a “comic” novel? A “dark” novel? A “well written” novel? Etc.

5.) How would you describe the attitude(s) toward Indians in the novel?

6.) What does the story of Fred Vandergar’s retirement party illustrate? (see pp. 63-68)

7.) Do you notice any patterns starting to develop? Repeated images? Repeated topics? Hints of things to come?

8.) What questions do you have about the novel?