Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. In what ways can family and society impact a person’s ability to leave an abusive relationship? In fiction writing, what considerations must authors take into account in order to handle this topic sensitively and realistically?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt offers the opportunity to introduce the novel’s themes, The Cyclical Nature of Domestic Violence and The Necessity of Support. Before responding, readers might benefit from the chance to submit 2-3 anonymous questions on the topic of domestic and intimate partner violence that could serve as spontaneous, brief research topics for pairs or small groups to investigate. Information from these or similar resources can help readers develop additional context on the topic.

• “National Domestic Violence Hotline” is a website designed for individuals experiencing domestic abuse to gain the help they need. This website includes a variety of resources and information on defining relationship abuse.
• “Domestic Violence Against Women” is an article from the Mayo Clinic that teaches readers how to recognize domestic violence, navigate unique circumstances surrounding the issue, break the cycle, and create a safety plan; it offers other resources as well.