Consider Rawlings’s use of animal death to symbolize a child’s loss of innocence. Is the trope successful, or is it too sentimental and emotionally manipulative, especially considering the target audience for the novel?

How does the author portray women in the narrative (keeping historical context in mind)? What role do Ora and Grandma Hutto play in Jody’s life? Why does Jody hate Eulalie and Twink?

Jody often experiences strange, terrifying dreams. Analyze the significance of his dreams based on when they occur and their relevance to his character development.