1. What does Crowder tell Russell Beckman's parents as to the reason they have been called to the office and what does Mrs. Beckman say? What does Russell say?

2. What does Victoria tell the McPheron brothers about where she was and where do they take her?

3. What happens with the last cow that needs done and what do the brothers decide to do with her?

4. What does the school board chairman tell the Beckmans and how do they respond?

5. Describe the conversation Tom Guthrie and Lloyd Crowder have about Russell Beckman's grade in American History.

6. What do the McPheron brothers find when they arrive home one day and what do they do about it?

7. What does the young man ask his girlfriend, Sharlene, to do and what is the end result?

8. What does Victoria tell Maggie about the baby's father?

9. What does Dr. Martin do after he examines Victoria and what does she ask him?

10. Why do Bobby and Ike sneak out of the house one night?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Plainsong is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

The only question Victoria has for the doctor is whether her baby is all right. Clearly she does want the baby. At this point it is difficult to say why Victoria wants to have the baby despite the hardships pregnancy and motherhood will cause. Perhaps because Victoria has never had a fulfilling family life she is ready to love a child of her own.

1. Discuss the reasons why Victoria might want to have her baby.

2. Do you think Victoria should keep her baby? Why or why not?

3. Discuss the pros and cons of a teenage girl having and keeping a baby.