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Discussion Questions for Your Group

  1. Ludelphia uses pieces of cloth to tell her
    story. What cloth would you use to tell your
    story?
  2. Gee’s Bend is an isolated place, and
    Ludelphia has never been anywhere else. How
    does this fact make it harder for her to leave?
  3. Ludelphia worries that Mama’s illness is all
    her fault because of the rumor about Etta Mae
    being a “witch.” What happens that makes
    Ludelphia believe the rumor is true?
  4. How does Ludelphia’s blindness in one eye
    affect her life?
  5. Ludelphia thinks about all the things Mama
    says. Do you think Mama gives good advice?
    What advice does your mother give you?
  6. Ludelphia can’t decide whether Mrs. Cobb
    is good or bad. What does Mrs. Cobb do to
    confuse her?
  7. Ludelphia’s family are sharecroppers. How
    is this different from slavery?
  8. After Ludelphia loses her quilt top, she talks
    about Etta Mae playing the piano “in her mind”
    and decides to do the same thing with quilting.
    Have you ever done something “in your mind?”
  9. When Mrs. Cobb comes to Gee’s Bend to
    collect, Ludelphia and Etta Mae do something
    drastic to distract Mrs. Cobb. Does it help?
  10. The Red Cross plays an important role in
    the story. What other disasters do you know of
    that the Red Cross has sent help?
  11. What do you think Ludelphia’s next quilt
    will look like? What story will it tell?

from http://www.irenelatham.com/pdf/Gees_Bend_Discussion_Guide.pdf