Who is Nora? Why is she embarrassed by her mother in the prologue? Why does Nora begin her story with this scene? What does this scene say about Nora's relationship with her mother? Why is the prologue and the epilogue told in the first person point of view? Why does the writer not use the first person point of view in the body of the novel? How would this change the focus of the story?

Who is Patty Jane? What is unique about Patty Jane? Why does Patty Jane become convinced she has conceived on her wedding night? Did she? Is it possible Patty Jane conceived later in her marriage? How does Patty Jane react to this pregnancy? Why does Patty Jane refuse to go to the doctor with this pregnancy? Why does Patty Jane refuse pain medication during the delivery of her child...