"The Help"

1. Who was your favorite character? Why?
2. What do you think motivated Hilly? She is cruel to Aibileen and Skeeter once she realizes that she can’t control her. Yet she’s a wonderful mother.
• Do you think that one can be a good mother but, at the same time, a deeply flawed person?
3. Like Hilly, Skeeter’s mother is deeply flawed yet sympathetic. She seems to care for Skeeter— and she also seems to have very real feelings for Constantine. Yet she gives Constantine a unmakable choice; and her interaction with Skeeter is critical.
4. Do you think Skeeter’s mother is a sympathetic or unsympathetic character? Why?
5. How much of a person’s character is shaped by the times in which they live?
6. Did it bother you that Skeeter is willing to overlook so many of Stuart’s faults so that she can get married ?
7. Do you believe that Minny was justified in her distrust of white people?
8. Do you think that had Aibileen stayed working for Miss Elizabeth, that Mae Mobley would have grown up to be racist like her mother?
9. Do you think racism is inherent, or taught?
10. The author manages to paint Aibileen with a quiet grace and an aura of wisdom about her. How do you think she does this?
11. What did you think about Minny’s pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge?
12. Which characters did you find most likable and sympathetic?
13. To what extent do you think a person's flaws, such as racist attitudes and behaviors, can be forgiven because it is the norm in the surrounding culture?
14. How much do you think the dynamics of relationships between black people and white people have changed?

"Lord of the Flies"

What is important about the title? Is there a reference in the novel that explains the title?

What are the conflicts in Lord of the Flies? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional)?

How does William Golding reveal character in Lord of the Flies?

What are some themes in the story? How do they relate to the plot and characters?

What are some symbols in Lord of the Flies? How do they relate to the plot and characters?

Are the boys consistent in their actions? Are they fully developed characters? Are some characters more fully developed than others? How? Why?

Do you find the characters likable? Are the characters persons you would want to meet?

Discuss some of the symbols in Lord of the Flies.

What is the central/primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful?

Why is the novel so controversial? Do you think the book should be censored or banned?

How essential is the setting to the story? Could the story have taken place anywhere else?

What is the role of family and community in this novel?
Does the story end the way you expected? How? Why?
Would you recommend this novel to a friend?

"The Psychopath Test"

Discussion questions for Sunday:


1. Which "psychopath" did you find the most interesting? (Constance Toto/ Tony (at Broadmoor)/Al Dunlap/other) Why?

2. According to Bob Hare, Psychopaths cannot be cured. If there was a way to be 100% sure of detecting a Psychopath, should we lock them up before they commit a crime? What about the "crimes" that are legal, like CEOs of corporations that walk away with their fat bonuses after they lay off hundreds of workers?

3. According to Al Dunlap, all these traits on the Bob Hare checklist are signs of a great leader and should be looked at as a positive. Do you agree?

4. Do you agree with Scientologist that psychologists/psychiatrist should be considered "the enemy"?

5. What are your feelings about Tony (at Broadmoor)? Do you think he is innocent or do you think he really is a psychopath?

6. What were some of your favorite Laugh Out Loud moments in the book, or did you not find the book funny?

7. Do you, like the author, feel you now have a "secret super power" of detecting psychopaths?