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1. Discuss a striking use of metaphor that occurs in the prologue.

The first line of Housegirl's prologue stops the readers in their tracks by declaring, "The coffin was like a neat slice of wedding cake" (ix). The reader cannot imagine at this point, or even by the end of Chapter 8, why this burial would be associated with a thing of beauty or celebration.

2. What element of the burial scene in the prologue most upsets Belinda?

The narrator explains that Belinda knows the usual elements of Ghanaian burials, but they clearly bother her greatly for some reason in this instance. Belinda wonders at the children's ability to laugh when one of them narrowly avoids falling into the empty grave. The reader does not know at this point who is being buried.

3. What are the positive aspects that Belinda will miss about Mary?

Belinda has come to enjoy Mary's indomitable spirit and the way in which Mary's face seems capable of rapid transformation at any moment. Belinda's friendship with Mary also appears to help Belinda cope with her own loneliness and feelings of inferiority, since taking on the maternal role is her natural instinct. It also requires a great deal of energy from the 17-year-old Belinda.

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