The Children's Corner - Reader's Guide
- Compare the themes of loss in the book. How many types of loss are there in these stories?
- How is symbolism used in the story “A Forest of Green?”
- Discuss the symbolic use of Rothko and his paintings in “Rothko in Connecticut.” Why did the author pick this painter?
- Contrast the mention of the artists Rothko and Breughel in “Rothko in Connecticut.”
- Discuss the theme of homophobia in “Rothko in Connecticut,” “My Brother Neal in Pensacola,” and “Christmas Comes But Once a Year.”
- How does the author evoke certain personalities by the use of names, both first and last?
- Why do you think the first story is called “The Children’s Corner?” How are the characters like children? Who are the “grown-ups” in the story?
- Discuss the story “Summer Music.” How do the characters communicate? Do you believe they still love each other? What purpose does the dead koi serve?
- In “The Diaphanous Leaves,” the author describes the city of New Orleans. How is this atmospheric effect achieved? Is the author successful in describing the city’s different sections?
- Discuss the author’s use of plants and/or animals in these stories. What is their significance? How are the stories similar in this way? How are they different?
- Discuss how the main character changes in “The Diaphanous Leaves.”
- How does the author use music and art in his writings?
- How does the author use sex and sexuality in these stories?
- Discuss the theme of “death” that runs throughout this collection of short stories.
- What was your initial impression of the story “Primordial Angst?” Did you guess what it was really about before the end?
- Discuss McCrae’s employment of Alzheimer’s in the stories “Morning Glory” and “Crook.”
- Discuss how the style of each story varies. Why do you think the author did this? Is the use effective?
- How does the author achieve the differentiation of characters in “My Brother Neal in Pensacola?” Do you believe the story that one of the characters tells? Why or why not?
- Discuss the use of humor in these stories.
- Do the titles fit the stories?
- Compare this collection of stories with McCrae’s other book, The Bark of the Dogwood. How is humor used in both? What similarities do you see in the two books?
- How do the stories work as a collection? Are they connected in any way?
- What do you believe caused the main character in “Early Sunday Morning” to want to harm himself? What do you think actually happened that caused him to be self-destructive?
- Discuss how the plot of “Christmas Comes But Once a Year” unfolds. Why do you think the author used this technique? Is it effective? Did you find the story humorous or sad, or both?
- How does the author use metaphor and symbolism in these stories?
- Talk about the use of flashback in the novella “Crook.”
- What is the significance of the dog’s name in the novella “Crook?” What does he represent?
