- Jack and Lucy continued to obey Lucy’s father’s wishes, even after he died. Were they right to honor his demands for so long?
- How do the colonial attitudes about courtship and marriage differ from ours? What do you think of Jack’s wedding arrangements? And his courtship of Lucy?
- Should Lucy have waited to discuss her decision with her mother before marrying Jack?
- Jack is adamant that Lucy should not attend his trial and hanging. Do you think he’s right about that? Have you ever forbidden your loved ones to do a specific action?
- In the jail, Jack slowly becomes more despondent. His faith seems to grow weaker. What might Lucy do to help, beyond what she does in the story?
- Have you ever been in a situation so totally out of your control that you felt you had no recourse? What did you do?
- On several occasions, Lucy goes against Jack’s desires. Why is she bolder in being independent now than she was before they were married?
- Even after marrying Jack, Lucy hesitates to spend his money. At what point would you have tipped over the clothespress to get it?
- How do you think Lucy measures up to the title “Goodwife” or “Goody” used at the time?
- Why does Jack give way to Lucy’s action of adopting Goodman Trent’s dog? Of weaving cloth for Goodman’s son? Is he right to ask her to have nothing to do with Richard Trent?
