When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky

Consider the various narrative voices Verble features across the novel. What impact do these shifts from one narrator to the next within and between chapters have on the plot?

How does the inclusion of animal narrators—such as the buffalo Adam and the brown bear Tom Noddy—impact the progression of the plot? What does the inclusion of these animal perspectives contribute to Verble’s thematic interest in Communication Between Human and Non-Human Beings?

The Tennessee Supreme Court appeal of the Scopes trial plays an important role in the relationship between Clive and Helen. How does this trial underscore the major themes in Verble’s narrative?

In what ways does Verble distinguish between the general public of Nashville and the Glendale employees? How do these distinctions highlight the Racial and Ethnic Tensions of 1920s America?

Consider Verble’s depictions of US military veterans in When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky. In what ways does the author connect the lived experience of war with The Lasting Effects of Grief and Trauma?

In Verble’s novel, three men express romantic or sexual desire for Two Feathers: Jack Older, Little Elk, and Edgar Maxwell. Compare and contrast these men and the reasons they’re drawn to Two Feathers. Cite specific examples from the book to support your argument.

Examine Verble’s use of caves as symbols of American history. How are caves used to hide or recover secrets in the novel?

Explore depictions of social class in the novel, especially in regard to Verble’s secondary female characters. How do women like Helen Hampton and May Shackleford influence the action of the novel? In what ways does their social and racial privilege influence their perspectives?