1. What changes does Cavil Planter's personality undergo during the novel?

What are the main causes of these changes?

2. In several chapters, 17 for exam ple, Alvin and other characters learn about and try to deal with racism.

What are some of the main things the better characters learn about racism?

What good strategies do they find for dealing with it?

3. Discuss Peggy Guester's development through "torch," apprentice to Modesty, and seeking a university education, to becoming Alvin's teacher.

What are the main difficulties she encounters each time she must change?

What do you think of the ways she solves these difficulties?

4. Alvin's main adventures seem to involve digging the well, learning from Miss Larner, changing Arthur Stuart, and creating the living plow. What are the main difficulties he encounters in each adventure? What do you think of the ways he solves these difficulties?

5. What sort...