B. In the course of the novel, a number of references are made to Giacomo Puccini’s early 20th century opera, The Girl of the Golden West. Go to the library or online to learn more about this opera, its origins and plot. How did the public react to the opera when it first opened? Is the plot of the real opera the same as the stories Lambert tells? Make a list of words or phrases exploring what the American West represents in the opera, and in Stevermer’s novel.
C. In the character of Samuel Lambert, write a journal entry describing your feelings about Glasscastle and your hopes for becoming a Glasscastle scholar. Do you feel your American origins will be a help or a hindrance? Despite your appreciation for Glasscastle, what might you miss about America if you are invited to stay there?
IV. Wardens, Magic and Balance
A. Why do you think Caroline Stevermer chose to give potential warden Nicholas Fell this particular surname? The term “fell” has several dictionary definitions. Go to the library or online to find at least three definitions of this term that help you to better understand the character or Nicholas Fell, or the type of magic the author describes in the novel. Share your chosen definitions with classmates or friends. Did everyone choose similar definitions? Why or why not?
B. Go to the library or online to learn more about armillary spheres, including some illustrations of the devices. Then, write a short speech in which Nicholas Fell attempts to explain to Jane Brailsford why his study of armillary spheres is helping him to understand the imbalance about which her friend, warden Faris Nallaneen, is so concerned.
C. Find examples in the novel in which music and architecture are used to explain the magic of Glasscastle. Imagine you are a first-year student at Glasscastle who has heard some of the explanations included in the text. In the character of this student, write a letter to a friend or family member in which you attempt to describe what you are learning and any questions you may have about understanding magic in this way.
D. The Agincourt Device transforms many individuals into animals. Is there significance in the particular animals each character becomes? With classmates or friends, discuss why Bridgewater may have become a tortoise, why Robert Brailsford transformed into a dog. Do these transformations match their characters? Afterward, write an essay in which you describe what animal into which you might transform in the face of a magical device and why.
E. Agincourt, place in France, was also the site of historic battle. Learn more about this confrontation. Then, write a paragraph explaining why you think the author chose to give Voysey’s weapon this name. Or write a paragraph, describing how A Scholar of Magics could be interpreted as a novel about balancing not just magic, but power.
F. Samuel Lambert and Jane Brailsford seem to create their own type of magical balance together. Role-play a discussion between Lambert and Jane in which they discuss their adventures and examine why their two types of skill (or magic) complemented each other in defeating Bridgewater. Or make a list the many images of magical, architectural, intellectual and other types of balance represented in the novel.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. The opening chapter of A Scholar of Magics introduces American sharpshooter Samuel Lambert and spirited mathematics teacher Jane Brailsford. Compare and contrast the characters of Lambert and Jane in terms of their backgrounds, lifestyles, and skills (magic and otherwise).
2. In Chapter 2, Voysey explains the “antiquated term” magic to Lambert. In what ways are his explanations truthful? In what ways are his explanations deceptive?
3. What is the significance of chanting at Glasscastle? What effect does the chanting have on Lambert? Is Lambert content to be at Glasscastle despite his status as a visitor? Would you have accepted had you been offered Lambert’s position at Glasscastle?
4. What was Lambert’s role in Kiowa Bob’s Wild West Show? Did Lambert consider himself to be a showman? Why is Lambert’s identity as an American, and as a westerner, important to the story?
5. What is Jane’s real reason for coming to Glasscastle? Why is Nicholas Fell unwilling to do what Jane asks of him? What is the Agincourt project and why is Fell also seemingly disengaged from this major Glasscastle endeavor?
6. Caroline Stevermer meticulously describes the landscape, architecture and even the academic culture of Glasscastle, laying down details almost like layers of paint in a portrait. Why is this layering important to understanding the themes of the novel?
7. Why do Lambert and Jane journey to Ludlow? How does Lambert find Jane at St. Hubert’s? To what evil use has the institution been put? What is the significance of Jane’s illusion? Why are Jane and Lambert immune to the Agincourt device?
8. In chapter 12, Fell tells Lambert that, “Perception and will are the foundation of all magic.” What does he mean? How does this statement help explain his resistance to the wardenship? What does Fell feel he needs to perceive before he can move forward?
9. Who comes to the rescue of St. Hubert’s many prisoners? What happens when Jane, Lambert, and the scholars return to Glasscastle? What is the significance of the silence Lambert hears upon his return?
10. How does Bridgewater steal Fell’s magic? How does he draw power from Voysey? From Jane? How is Lambert able to stop Bridgewater from absorbing the power of these others?
11. In chapter 13, Jane explains that “Those who built [Glasscastle] knew that there are patterns in the world and they used those patterns here … . There’s music all around us here. Every arch, every vault, it all means something in terms of space.” How can this statement be understood in terms of the earlier explorations Jane and Lambert made of the Glasscastle buildings and grounds? In your own words, explain the relationship between music, architecture and magic in the Glasscastle world.
12. In the course of the novel, and even during the court proceedings of the final chapters, the existence and nature of the wardens seems to be something which society at large is uncertain. How might you explain this uncertainty? Are there similarly uncertain notions at play in our own world? Do you think magic exists at any level in our world? If yes, how would you define that magic?
13. Does Lambert possess his own magic? Explain.
14. In the final chapter of the novel, Lambert suggests that “Maybe you can’t study anything without changing a bit.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
15. Like the wardens that balance A Scholar of Magics, Lambert and Jane seem also to create a certain type of balance. How might you characterize this balance? How is this balance affected by their feelings for each other? Could you argue that both characters—and not just Samuel Lambert—are the novel’s protagonists? Who do you think is the “scholar” of the novel’s title? Explain your answer.
CAROLINE STEVERMER
grew up on a dairy farm in southeastern Minnesota. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania with a B.A. degree in the History of Art. Almost twenty years later, she learned to drive a car. Her interests include Mark Twain, baseball, the portrait miniatures of Nicholas Hilliard, and learning how to parallel park. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
A SCHOLAR OF MAGICS
Copyright © 2004 by Caroline Stevermer
Reader’s Guide copyright © 2006 by Tor Books
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.
A Starscape Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
175 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
www.starscapebooks.com
eISBN 9781466819467
First eBook Edition : April 2012
EAN 978-0765-34346-7
First Starscape edition: March 2006
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A Scholar of Magics Page 37