The Hidden Light of Northern Fires

1. Is it surprising that a place in the North seceded during the Civil War? Do Town Line's reasons for secession sound like something you'd hear today?

2. Does Mary choose to help runaways just for altruistic reasons alone, or is there something else that drives her?

3. Leander is eighteen years old when the war starts, the same age as most people when they nish high school now. Was more expected of boys that age in the nineteenth century than now? Does Leander seem irresponsible, or just young?

4. After Mary graduates from college, she struggles to nd something to do with her education. If you were a woman during that era, what options do you think you'd have?

5. Charlie Webster wanders across America in his exile. What would you do if you had to ee your home? Where would you go?

6. Mary visits a black church right after war is declared, and the parishioners are frustrated that they will not be allowed to ght in the war. How do you think the freedmen in the North would have reacted?

7. Harry says he doesn't want anything to do with the war, but he nds himself slowly drawn into working for Compson and the Confederates. Do you think he gets what he deserves in the end?

8. What do you think Joe's father feels, watching Joe show so much promise while being limited by his status as a slave, while Yates shows little effort but has everything available to him?

9. Most stories about the Civil War are written from the perspective of the South. Why do you think the South continues to concern itself with the Civil War so much more than the North?

10. In the end, does Mary stay in Town Line, or does she leave? What makes you think that's her choice?