The book was first published
in 1948. How might readers have responded differently to the novel at that
time? How might their responses have been the same? Why does the novel continue
to appeal to readers today as it did in 1948?
The book is told through
Cassandra’s entries in her journals, an exercise she has undertaken in order to
teach herself how to write. Why do you think Dodie Smith chose the form of the
diary to tell the story of Cassandra and the Mortmain family?
Mortmain’s celebrated novel is described throughout the book as a literary breakthrough, a
predecessor to James Joyce’s work, and meriting the analysis of famous literary
critics. Yet beyond a few spare descriptions, Smith tells us little about the
actual story. What do you imagine Jacob Wrestling to be about?
Why does Mortmain encourage Cassandra to be “brisk”
with Stephen? What does I Capture the Castle say about class in
mid-twentieth-century England?
How does the book reflect society’s changing views
toward women during the first half of the century? How do the women in the
novel view the roles and opportunities open to them both in the family and in
the world at large differently? Consider Cassandra, Rose, Topaz, Mrs. Cotton,
and Mrs. Fox-Cotton.
No comments:
Post a Comment