DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
for Mary A. Agria’s COMMUNITY OF SCHOLARS
1. A. J. Ferinelli realizes early-on
that Sam and her experiences in higher education simply do not
‘compute” for him. How do events test his assumptions about his own
background and about his profession?
2. Discuss how Sam Pomerantz’s past
makes her vulnerable to a man like Bremer. What finally enables her
to confront the pattern? How typical is her situation?
3. Discuss how A. J.’s relationship
with his mentor, George McDowell, changes in the course of the
novel. How does Sam’s mentor play a role in the growth of her
character?
4. How does the political climate on
campus contribute to community or the lack of it? Discuss how those
same dynamics can impact conditions in any work setting. How typical
is this kind of politicized work environment?
5. With which character in the novel
do you most identify and why? Discuss the character’s role in the
story.
6. How does the relationship between
Joel Van Susten, Julie Schechter and Liz Diamond parallel the
experiences of A. J. and Sam? Discuss how the concept of mentoring
plays a role in the younger and older characters’ growth.
7. Discuss how the secondary
characters contribute to the sense of community: Eg., Dean Bremer,
the McDowells, Fred Urban, Doc Radisson, Jake Burroughs, Julie
Schechter, Ja Ron, Professor Ellison, Priscilla Fowler, Henry Putnam
and Andy Duncan. Which characters functioned most for you as
catalysts for change? With whom could you most identify and why?
8. A. J. finds it difficult to get
beyond his guilt over the death of his wife, Anne. How does that
begin to change and why?
9. Discuss how unresolved feelings of
guilt impede Sam in her struggles to make her peace with her past.
What enables her to begin to change?
10. Bea, Doc and Joel take on
important roles in the course of the novel. How does their
intervention impact the central characters?
11. Discuss the ending in light of
the Herbert poem quoted at the beginning of the novel. How does the
ending define what it means to live holistically in community? What
do you think ultimately happens to Sam and A. J.?
12. Discuss how the novel changes or
reinforces your perceptions of Higher Education, at its best and at
its worst.
Download a PDF version of these questions
for printing.
READER AND CRITICAL PRAISE FOR MS. AGRIA’S NOVELS: "Fresh language
and images"..."Richly drawn, wonderfully engaging characters,
haunted by ultimate questions of mortality and spirituality"
TO MEET THE AUTHOR: arrange for a phone "Author Chat" for a book
group; schedule a signing or reading; follow Ms. Agria’s monthly
online "Reflections"; or learn more about her other novels/books, by
contacting her website at www.maryagria.com
