39 pages • 1 hour read
Susan Carol McCarthyLay That Trumpet in Our Hands
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2002A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Spirituality, especially in the Black community, is evident throughout the book. Discuss how Marvin has impacted Reesa’s sense of the spiritual.
The McMahon family is almost completely isolated from the White community. Discuss some of the characteristics that make them different from the other White families.
Most of the Klansmen characters are flat and one-dimensional. Discuss why McCarthy might have made this decision and what their characterization contributes to the novel.
Even though Marvin dies in the beginning of the novel, his character nevertheless emerges as the story progresses. What does Reesa miss most after his death? Support your response with evidence from the text.
Analyze Reesa’s relationship with each member of her family. What does she admire about each of her family members and what does she learn from them?
One criticism of the novel concerns Reesa’s voice. Select one situation in which Reesa appears wise beyond her years and defend or critique the description of the situation from the point of view of a book reviewer.
Research the Jim Crow laws of this era, and discuss White privilege from the point of view of two persons who lived during the 1950s. One point of view will reflect supporters of the laws, while the other reflects critics of the laws.
What impact does the presence of historical figures have on the plot and tone of the novel? Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.
Maybelle’s hostility is explained by the story of her heartbreak. How might the hostility of the Klansmen be explained?
What personality characteristics enable Warren to take the risk of threatening Casselton at the end of the novel? Why do you think Warren trusts an ungentlemanly figure like Casselton with a gentleman’s agreement?
