1. What are some of the turning points in Carrie's movement toward mental health?

2. Do you think Carrie's relationship with her mother gets better as she gets better? Why or why not?

3. The people in Carrie's life are never well developed, and her father virtually disappears from the novel after Carrie's suicide attempt. Why do you suppose Oneal chose not to develop these characters further?

4. What function does Daniel Spangler play in the novel? What does he do for Carrie?

5. How do you view Carrie's relationship with Moira? Does Moira help Carrie in any way?

6. Why is Carrie so disturbed about Mrs. Ramsay's affair?

7. Why do you suppose Mr. and Mrs. Stokes have a difficult time understanding Carrie's abstract drawings?

8. How does Saskia's interpretation of Carrie's island drawings foreshadow her progression to wellness?

9. What message is Oneal trying to convey with Carrie's interaction with Katherine...