Describe Jean's childhood. How does she come to live with her adoptive mother? What happens when there's an encounter with her biological mother? What does Jean's adoptive mother say about her biological mother?

What's the significance of the extensive descriptions of Jean's mother? What's the significance of the lack of description of Jean's father? Describe the role her father plays in her life.

What is Jean's role in the church? What is her mother's goal for her future? What does Jean change about that goal? Why?

Describe how Jean comes to have a relationship with Melanie. With Katy. With Mrs. Jewsbury. How do each of these end? How are the similar? Dissimilar?

What is Jean's relationship with other children? Who is it that stays with her most often in the hospital? How does that relationship develop? What does Elsie mean when she says that...