1.Why did Truett risk his life to save James?
2.Why did Celia come to Bethel Springs? How long was she hoping to stay? Why did she want to go back to Nashville?
3.Why did Celia not flirt with Truett or act impressed with him?
4.What was the wager Truett made with himself about getting Celia to change her opinion of him?
5.Griff frightened Celia when she saw him tying little Tempie’s bonnet strings. Why was Celia frightened for her sister?
6.Why did Celia feel guilty when Will accidentally cut himself with the ax? Why was she so embarrassed when she fainted?
7.At the dance, did Celia enjoy dancing with Truett? Why did she suddenly give him the cold shoulder? What was she so afraid of?
8.What were Celia’s reasons for not wanting to get married? Do you think her fears—of not wanting to lose her identity or her ability to own her own business—were justified?
9.Who do you relate to more—Celia and her fears of losing herself and her identity? Or Almira and her belief that love was better and more powerful than any fear?
10.How did Celia feel when she discovered Truett was the Hooded Horseman? Why was she so determined to warn him to be more careful and not expose himself to danger?
11.Fear kept Celia from accepting Truett’s proposal of marriage. Have you ever had a fear, whether rational or irrational, that made you do things that didn’t make sense to other people?
12.What was it that finally helped Celia overcome her fear of accepting Truett’s proposal of marriage?
13.In the beginning, Truett came across as a bit arrogant. What events in the story helped him change and become more humble?
Magnolia Summer Page 28