Beneath the Apple Leaves
Page 34
Andrew and Lily smiled deeply, exchanged swollen hope. For life began anew, grew again, beneath the apple leaves.
A READING GROUP GUIDE
BENEATH THE APPLE LEAVES
Harmony Verna
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The suggested questions are included to enhance your group’s reading of Harmony Verna’s
Beneath the Apple Leaves.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. By all accounts, Andrew Houghton’s destiny should have followed the same route as all the other young men in the coal patches—an endless existence underground picking coal. Yet, from his earliest memories, he knew this was not the life he was to live. Did this ambition come solely from his father or were there traits in the young man that made him think differently? What would make him expect or even desire a different life? Who was more realistic about Andrew’s future, his mother or father?
2. Wilhelm Kiser, a German immigrant, has a seemingly ideal life in Pittsburgh during the early 1900s. He has a beautiful home with an indoor toilet, a lucrative job with the Pennsylvania Railroad and a growing family. What does this sort of life represent for Wilhelm? What was considered success for a man of that time period? For a woman? How was Wilhelm’s identity wrapped into his profession?
3. After Andrew’s father is killed in a mine accident, his mother decides to send him to Pittsburgh to become an apprentice on the railroad while she moves back to the Netherlands. Did she have Andrew’s best interest at heart? Were her motivations selfish? What would you have done in that situation? Given the few options women had in those times, did she make the right decision?
4. America entered World War I on April 6, 1917, bringing a global brutality that had never been experienced on such a scale. How did the war invade every fiber of society? How did the war forever change the face of industry and agriculture? How did men and women handle the savagery and bloodshed differently?
5. During World War I, Germans were the conceived enemy spawning prejudice and hate. Throughout history, wars have ignited this hate. World War II was against the Japanese; at one time Britain was our enemy. Who is the enemy now? Where is current prejudice targeted? Can we learn from history that our foes today may be our greatest allies tomorrow? How did propaganda, the media and political rhetoric spread fear during World War I? How do those vehicles distort the truth now?
6. Eveline Kiser finally has the farm she has always yearned for, yet the reality of their existence quickly shadows the dream. Is Eveline responsible for the downfall of their family? Was she ungrateful? Does her inherent love of the land bring new life to a family who would have otherwise been shackled to the pollution and industry of Pittsburgh? If given the choice, where would you have rather lived, on the Kiser farm or in the home in the smog-filled city?
7. Over the span of a year, Andrew’s life has been shattered. He lost his father, his mother left for war-torn Holland, his dreams of college were stifled, he lost his arm in a terrible accident and now he must find a new life with a family he hardly knows. How does he go on? How does he find himself after so much loss? What has the accident taught him?
8. Lily Morton and Andrew meet on the day that the twins are born. Why are so many emotions coming up for Lily? Why does Andrew feel instantly protective of this young woman? Do you think the attraction was instant for both of them?
9. From Pieter Mueller, Andrew learns the truth about Lily’s past—that Claire is her sister as well as her mother. Given the shame and secretive nature of incest, how shocking would it have been to the community to know of this truth? How did this revelation affect Andrew’s view of Lily? How has Lily been made to feel dirty and cursed about her conception? What must it have been like for Lily to carry around this secret for her whole life?
10. Frank Morton, Lily’s brother-in-law, has designs on Eveline Kiser and the feelings are mutual. Is it understandable to see how Eveline fell for his charms? Where did her marriage with Wilhelm fall short? Do you believe that most women of that time had to settle in marriage? How are marriages different today from those in the early 1900s? Do you think Frank had real feelings for Eveline or was she just a conquest? Do you believe Eveline had real feelings for Frank or was she simply trying to find some pleasure in the darkness ?
11. Lily and Andrew have a falling-out and sever ties due to a miscommunication. Did Andrew do anything wrong with the prostitute? If you were Lily, would you have reacted in the same way? Was it understandable that Andrew thought Lily abandoned him after the German slurs? How did past hurts and insecurities skew their individual perspectives of the situation?
12. The Kiser farm is finally beginning to produce. The animals are growing. The garden is flourishing. Eggs, milk and butter are ready for market. Yet the dross of war enters their tiny town and brings the anti-German sentiment straight to the Kisers. After the humiliation at the city market and then the burning of their barn, Wilhelm Kiser breaks and commits suicide. Did you see this end for Wilhelm? Was he a coward? What things could he have done to keep himself from taking his own life?
13. On the day that Andrew plans to propose to Lily, she is forced to give her body to another man due to Frank’s threats. Did Lily have a choice? If she had said no, how could she have protected her sister? Given Lily’s grim conception, did part of her think she deserved to be treated like a prostitute? How could Lily grow to love and respect herself after all she had been through?
14. Widowed and impoverished, Eveline Kiser must do the unthinkable to save her family—have sexual relations with the man who helped bring their demise. Did Eveline have any other options? Given the time period and the limited resources for women, what would you have done? When Eveline gave her body to Frank, was she a victim?
15. As Andrew’s family and home crumble beneath his feet, he must dig to the depths of his being to find his power and strength again. How is cutting down the beloved apple tree symbolic? What does he learn about himself during this process? How did all of the hardships build him into a new man? Could he have fully loved and been there as a husband for Lily if he hadn’t faced his demons and come out on the other side?
16. After Andrew brings Lily and Claire home, he goes to the Morton house to confront Frank. Should he have killed Frank? Would an act of revenge have healed any of their wounds? Did Frank get his due justice? Do you think Claire missed her husband at all? Did Frank have any positive characteristics? Do you think he died with any remorse?
17. The end of the novel brings a child for Andrew and Lily, a canvas for healing the entire family and a chance for Andrew to follow his dream of being a veterinarian. And so life begins to grow again, beneath the apple leaves. How did each character overcome his or her personal demons and what did they learn as a result? Were their struggles worth it? How did Andrew and Lily heal? Do you see a future of happiness for the characters? In your own life, how have your personal battles made you stronger?