Discussion+Director+Questions


 * __Secti____on 1__ **  **By: Elizabeth Kue****nzel**


 * Major Theme - INSANITY**

//1) How did you feel about the way "insane" people were treated in this time frame? Did these types of places do more harm or good?// I feel it is unfair that "insane" people were treated the same way as criminals, serial killers, rapists, and etc, because they have done nothing wrong and have not committed any crime, therefore they should not be in the same room as people who have murdered others and caused pain upon others. These places do more harm than good because they could cause the "insane" to go more insane (makes them think they are actually criminals when they are not) and by treating them as one of the criminals, it will not help them get better because the treatment is not directed towards them but to the actual murderers, rapists, etc. - **Rachel Lee**

I agree with Rachel. In some (a minority) of the cases, like Grace's (if she really did murder Thomas and Nancy), it seems appropriate treatment. But many of the people there, as Grace explains, are not actually guilty of anything, other than having mental problems. I think these places do more harm, as well, since some innocent people there who have done nothing wrong are treated as terribly as criminals. I believe the living conditions and the (lack of) medical care in these places would do little to actually help someone who was insane. -**Laura**

I agree with both Rachel and Laura, the people who were "insane" were not treated fairly, and were treated like criminals, which is very wrong.I think even the way criminals were treated was very wrong, because everyone is human and should be treated like humans, and not animals, which I find they are treated in that way. I think these places did a lot more harm than good, it caused the people who need help to get worse and made the people who were not insane go insane. I think that these places should not have existed. -**Amanda**

I feel that if somebody actually did something against the law because of a mental disorder it is right to lock them up in jail so they are not a threat to society, but they should not be treated unfairly. Although they may not have been fully aware that what they did was wrong, they can't just be let free into society again and seen as innocent. They still committed a crime. However, I don't think having a mental disorder is a crime that you need to be locked up for if you haven't broken the law. Not all "insane" people will commit murders for example. - **Kaitlyn** I do not agree with the way they treated the 'insane' people. Instead of trying to help them, which would have been the best thing to do, they locked them up and forgot about them. It's clear that society looked down upon these people and did not wish for them to be displayed for all to see. Obviously, this would be extremely humilating for anyone and it is never a good idea to try and hide a person because of shame, especially someone who is unstable mentally. - **Breanna** //2) How does Grace fit the characteristics of an insane person? How does she differ?// Grace fits the characteristics of an insane person because she hallucinated/imagined a bag full of knives in a certain doctor's bag which made her scream, when there actually wasn't any bag. She also has strange and disturbing dreams such as the dream of Nancy asking her for help as well as the dream of the peddler. Grace differs from an insane person because the readers realize that she is not telling the truth to Dr. Simon on purpose and that while she is a very quiet person, she constantly has intelligent plans and schemes to situations. - **Rachel Lee**

Grace does not fit the characteristics of an insane person. In my opinion she is mentally sane, but she does have her insane moments. For example when the doctor comes in she screams and does not want to see him. From reading further in the text I can see why she would be afraid of the doctor, because of the death of mary. Mary went and saw a doctor who cut the baby out of her which caused Mary's death. Most of Grace's action are justifiable, and explainable from what has happened in her past. - **Amanda**

Grace fits the characteristics of someone who is insane when she screams because the doctor has a big black bag. There's nothing to be afraid of, yet she is very afraid. Grace differs because she is very calm when she talks to Dr. Jordan and she explains to him why she would be afraid of the doctor. It was something bad that had happened in her past. - **Kaitlyn**

Grace fits the characteristics of an insane person because of the way she answers the questions Dr. Jordan has for her. Instead of saying how she really feels or is thinking, she decides to answer the question with something she would think is more typical. She is probably afraid of what Dr. Jordan would think about her actual thoughts, as a normal person would probably say their feelings about the questions the doctor asks. She also does not remember anything from what happened when Mr. Kinnear and Nancy were killed, suggesting either her memory is blocking that out, or she is trying to forget and doesn’t want to tell people. Grace could also be normal because she seems like a confident young women and does not strangely or about strange things to the doctor. - **Melina** //3) Do you think Grace was faking being insane, as Dr Banner said? Why do you think he is so against her as a person?// I believe Grace is both insane and is faking to look even more insane because while she does hallucinate a bag full of imaginary knives as well as dreams of disturbing and deviating things, it also seems as if she is faking insanity as well because she is trying to hide these hallucinations, dreams, and the truth from Dr.Simon who is just trying to help her. I think Dr. Banner is so against her as a person because she is known to have murdered two innocent people who had trusted her and I think he feels that he should not even bother or care of helping a evil murdress. - **Rachel Lee**

I agree with Rachel because I also think that Dr. Banner is against Grace as a person because she was found guilty of murder. Why should he help a murdress? I don't think that Grace is faking being insane because she has real disturbing memories from her past that are coming back. - **Kaitlyn**

I believe that Grace was faking being insane for several reasons. One could be that she did not want Dr. Banner as her doctor, since he was probably a terrible doctor towards her, so if she faked being insane and too much for him to handle, he would surely leave her to some other doctor. Grace could have also acted insane so she would be put into the lunatic asylum, instead of a jail. In the asylum she would probably have better benefits because people would believe she wasn't fully responsible because she is crazy. - **Melina**


 * Major Theme - INNOCENT VS GUILTY**

//1) Do you believe Grace is innocent of the murders, or guilty?// I believe Grace is guilty of the murders but I do not think she wanted to committ them but was instead forced to or was a bystander because of the dreams that Grace has. In Grace's first dream she sees Nancy Montgomery reaching out for help and it says that she does not want to ignore it like last time, which hints that maybe during the murder she saw Nancy dying but did not help her on purpose. Also, in Grace's second dream, the peddler was trying to sell her a bloody hand belonging to someone else but Grace refused to buy it (hand represents murder). - **Rachel Lee**

I believe that Grace is guilty of the murders because although she doesn't remember them happening, there are witnesses of her that say differently. For instance, she says that she can't remember all of what happened on the day that Nancy and Mr. Kinnear were murdered. However, the neighbours say that they saw her talking to James and she doesn't even remember having those conversations with him. Therefore, she could have also not remembered killing Nancy even if she did commit the crime. - **Kaitlyn**

I think that Grace was forced by James McDermott to commit the murders. There was no evidence that Grace had committed any murders. Many others believe that Grace is innocent too, such as Reverend Verringer. - **Melina**

I do not think Grace was capable of the murders, at this point Grace seems like a caring well mannered person that would not hurt a fly. -Amanda //2) Did she deserve the punishment she got? What punishment would you give her if you could decide?// Yes, I believe Grace deserved the punishment she got if she really did murder Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery because she had taken away their lives therefore she should have her life taken away as well, with a life setence in prison. If Grace had been the "mastermind" behind the murders, I believe she should have gotten a death sentencebut because it had been James McDermott, I believe the life sentence was fair for her. - **Rachel Lee**

I think Grace got the punishment that she deserved because she was found guilty of murder. She also has many witnesses that say they remember seeing her when she can't even remember what happened. This shows the judge that she must be guilty. However, there isn't any hard evidence that she really did murder Nancy besides the fact that Nancy had Grace's scarf around her neck. At least Grace was not hanged because that would not have been fair punishment. Especially if they did not truly know if she committed the crime or not. Plus, at the Penitentiary, she gets to be a maid in the Governor's house which is much better than having to do the work that the other women have to do. - **Kaitlyn**

I think that Grace deserved the punishment she got. Although she spent some time in the jail and lunatic asylum, she was able to work as a maid at the Governor’s house, which is a fair deal, even if she didn’t commit the murders. - **Melina**

I believe that a person who commits murder deserves to be locked up, not only as punishment but also for the safety of the community. Therefore, under the pretense that Grace did commit these murders, I do believe that she got what she deserved. -**Breanna** //3) Was Grace given a fair trial, from what we've heard? (Did her lawyer do a good job, in your opinion?)// No, I do not think Grace was given a fair trial from what we've heard because there is no proof that she really did murder Nancy Montgomery and Thomas Kinnear therefore, she should not have gotten a life sentence without any proof. Also, Grace says in the book that her lawyer had made her say most of the stuff written in her confession and while her lawyer was just trying to help her, he should have let her say what really happened in the night of the murder. - Rachel Lee

No, I have the same opinion as Rachel. As well as her lawyer telling her what to say, and telling her to "make up the parts she can't remember", it is obvious that there are still many unanswered questions about the murder. If it was a fair trial, I believe the judge would have gotten to the bottom of the murders BEFORE sending Grace to a life sentence. Also, in this day and age, Grace would probably have been found insane, or temporarily insane at the trial, but they didn't have that back then, which is why she was initially going to be hanged like McDermott. Now, if she was found mentally unstable, she would be given the help she needed. -Laura

I think Grace's lawyer did a decent job because even though she was found guilty, he got her out of jail and kept her from being hanged. She got it good, in my opinion for someone who was charged guilty of murder. However, he didn't help her too much because he told her to make up the parts of her story that she couldn't remember, and she was still charged guilty when she truly believed that she was innocent. - **Kaitlyn**

In my opinion I think Grace's lawyers did do a good job at defending Grace. Even though the public thought she was a murderer and maybe even her lawyer did as well, he still did his job well and defended her. - Amanda


 * Other Questions**

//What kind of emotional attachment do you think Dr Jordan and Grace have for each other?// So far, I don't think Dr. Jordan has very much of an emotional attachment to Grace, as she is his patient, and he must maintain a professional relationship with her. I believe Grace is cautious around Dr. Jordan, because he is a doctor and she fears them. She also keeps a lot of her thoughts from him during their sessions. In my opinion, it's unlikely that they have any emotional attachment to each other at this point, since Grace isn't even being honest with him, and Dr. Jordan, as her doctor, knows he shouldn't have any emotional attachments to her. He sees her as a patient, only.- **Laura**

I think that Dr. Jordan feels an emotional attachment towards Grace because he truly wants to help her and he believes she is innocent. He knew she was not insane from the moment he first saw her. Also, after hearing about her horrible childhood, he feels sympathy for her and is protective of her. He wants to clear her name and prove her innocent so that she may leave the Penitentary and have a better life. Dr. Jordan also notices how beautiful Grace is physically. She is different than the other girls he has met before. Although he wants to keep the relationship between them strictly professional, I think he will grow to have a strong emotional attachment to Grace. I think Grace feels it towards Dr. Jordan as well. She looks forward to seeing him every day and finds it easier and easier to talk to him each time. It is the part of the day she looks forward to the most and does not like when other people interrupt them because she likes their being alone together. She trusts him enough to tell him all about her childhood and the hard times she's been through. However, she doesn't tell him everything about her dreams and her desires which would most likely bring them closer. - **Kaitlyn** //Do you think Grace's difficult childhood makes her more or less likely to be a murderess? Explain.// Yes, I do think Grace's difficult childhood makes her more likely to be a murderess because of the fact that her father, whom she only had as a parent, did not care for her and actually made her hard life even worse. It also says in the book that she had even considered killing one of her sibiling to survive which could also make murder come more easily to her than it could to other people. Because Grace herself had experienced a horrible life, as an adult she could have wanted people who have everything they ever want, to experience the same or even worse, death. - **Rachel Lee**

__**OR THIS ONE! (they're similar)**__ I think Grace's childhood does make her more likely to become a murderess because she was abused as a child and the death of her mother may have brought some insanity into her. From a very early age she has responsibility to look after her younger siblings and she has to work very hard caring for them. Her mother dies on the ship from Ireland to Canada which brings an even bigger pressure to be the mother figure in her siblings' lives. Her father also physically abuses her when he's drunk and is not a good role model at all in her life. I think the mixture of all these different pressures and hardships in Grace's childhood give her an unstable foundation to become a good teenager and adult. Plus the lack of a positive parental figure to look after her could have caused her to 'snap' later on in her life and possibly commit murder. - **Kaitlyn**

Grace had a very difficult childhood. It began with her mother dying when she was so young. This left Grace in charge of the home, looking after her siblings, cooking food, cleaning and so on. This is far too large a burden for a young girl to deal with. In addition to the loss of her mother, Grace's father was extremely abusive. These factors will have caused Grace to grow up very confused and hurt. Not having been properly brought up Grace cannot always know right from wrong, and without a proper role model she can easily get lost later in life. - **Breanna**

It is evident by this quote that Grace lived a horrifying life with her father. He betrayed Grace and left her in the hands of Mrs. Burt. Although she was able to find her a good home at Mrs. Alderman Parkinson’s, Grace was left without a mother or father. When children are not raised with their mother and father, I believe they do not have the love they should from their parents and they do not know right from wrong if their father was a terrible person, such as Grace’s father was terrible towards her. - **Melina**

I think that Grace's difficult childhood makes her a lot more likely to be a murderess. If a person comes from a broken home, they are very damaged and some have built of anger that they have not dealt with. Grace may have had built up anger from her past and she may have let her emotions get the best of her and killed Nancy.- Amanda



**By: Amanda Theri ault**
 * __ Section 2 __**


 * Major Theme - INSANITY**

4) //Knowing more about Grace's life and story, does it make sense to why people may think she is insane? Explain.// Yes, after knowing more about Grace's life and story it makes sense why people may think she is insane because Grace has gone throughout a lot in her childhood from the pitiful death of her mother, her father's excessive drinking, to the death of her only friend, Mary Whitney. From this, people might think that she has been scarred deeply and that it has effected the way she thinks and behaves, leading to the murders. - **Rachel Lee**

Yes, it makes sense that people would think Grace is insane, because of (like Rachel said) her terrible childhood. The book says that her father had an excessive drinking problem and moreover probably had a mental illness. Dr. Jordan believes that her father's mental illness is not hereditary, but I think quiet the contrary. Mental illnesses, especially those like schizophrenia, can be passed down generations. Other mental illnesses such as post traumatic stress disorder can block out memories and thoughts. This means it is possible that Grace's mind could be blocking out the memories of her killing Nancy Montgomery and Thomas Kinnear. **- Melina**

__**MARK THIS ONE!**__ I think that Grace's childhood and life story make it easier for people to see her as "insane". This is because she obviously had a very hard childhood and a hard time growing up. Her father abused her and clearly could not teach her right from wrong seeing as he was also an alcoholic. And Grace's mother died at an early age causing her mental instability and the pressure to look after all of her younger siblings. When children are forced to act like adults and have that much responsibility, it can cause great mental stress as the mind is trying to mature faster than it is able to. People may think that because Grace went through all these hardships in her life that she is more likely to go insane or that she already is. - **Kaitlyn**

Grace is more likely to be insane than the average person because of all the diffcult things she has experienced in her short life. Grace was forced to mature well before she was supposed to, and was essentially robbed of her childhood. This no doubt would have inexplicable effects on a person's mental state. Everyone has a breaking point, and I believe that Grace was far beyond hers before she even met Nancy Montgomery or Thomas Kinnear. **-Elizabeth**

//5) Grace doesn't remember some of the day after she found Mary dead, does this help prove she could possibly be insane?// //Explain// The day that Grace does not remember is a very dramatic, and traumatizing day, it makes sense that she would block it out. When people go through traumatizing things, often people try to block the memory out, because it is a bad memory. This does not prove that she is insane, in my opinion I think that you cannot prove whether or not someone is in the right state of mind when something traumatic is happening. **- Amanda**

I don't think this really proves that Grace is insane. I think her feelings and thoughts about Mary's death were overwhelming and since she fainted she obviously would not remember what happened during that time. When I had a concussion once, I couldn't remember the rest of the night after I'd had it so this may have also happened to Grace when she fainted. Furthermore, I agree with Amanda that some people try to block horrible memories out of their minds because it's too hurtful to think about all the time. They would rather live with a blank memory about that certain subject or event than be reminded of the painful memories every day. **- Kaitlyn**

The fact that Grace could not remember long periods of time after Mary Whitney's death does not altogether prove that she is necessarily insane, however it does raise suspicion. Although post-traumatic stress disorder is very possible, as Grace had gone through a great deal in a short period of time, there is also an aspect to the memory loss that seems not quite right. There seems there could be another explanation, although what it could be is unclear. **-Elizabeth**

//4) Mr. Kinnear tells Grace the story behind the picture in his bedroom, do you think this is foreshadowing what is going to happened to Grace?// I do think that this scene in the book is foreshadowing the next part in Grace's life. It was clever on the authors part to place such a scene at that time. The women in the painting was naked and vulnerable, Grace, as an orphan, alone in a strange place, and without any friends can be seen as vulnerable. In the painting we see how the men surrounding the women have taken advantage of her vulnerability, which can be connected to how James McDermott may have taken advantage of Grace. - **Breanna**
 * Major Theme-INNOCENT VS GUILTY **

I think it is foreshadowing because, as Breanna said, the women in Mr. Kinnear's paintings are vulnerable. Just how Grace is. She doesn't know anyone well who she is living with so her safety is not guaranteed. We know this is true because she says that she locks her door every night, just in case a man wants to come in which implies that she is afraid of being taken advantage of and she does not trust the men that she is living with. It foreshadows how Mr. Kinnear wants to take advantage of Grace and how James McDermott wants to as well. - **Kaitlyn**

I think that the author is also alluding to how women were treated in the past. Margaret Atwood grew up in the fifties, a time when women had much less power than men did and were looked down upon. Women as a rule were naked and vulnerable, as the woman in the painting, and did not have the power to resist men's authority. Having grown up in a time period when women were much less valued Atwood may have a more cynical view on the male gender, and believe that they would take advantage of a poor woman and then put the blame on her. **-Elizabeth**

//5) Being now introduced to James McDermott do you think he has a character that has the potential to convince Grace to murder, or make her do things she doesn't want to do?// Yes, being introduced to James Mcdermott, I believe he has a character that has potential to convince Grace to murder and make her do things she doesn't want to do because I think he he very persuasive, but in a threatening way, is very determined, and does not give up on things he sets his mind on. Thus, I believe he has potential to manipulate Grace and trick her into thinking one thing, when it is the total opposite and is only for his own benefit. - **Rachel Lee**

I think that James McDermott has a kind of threatening personality. He does not care about other people as much as he cares about himself. He is also an intimidating man who would probably use his physical force or threats to get people to do what he wants to. He also says things that make him seem like the good guy when he's not. - **Kaitlyn** After being introduced to James McDermott, I definitely think he was capable of murder and forcing Grace to murder Nancy. He was a strong man and forceful. He was always rude and straight forward towards the others in the house, and most of all he did things his way. If he did want to do something, he wouldn’t do it, so if he wanted Grace to kill Nancy he could forcefully tell her to. Grace was probably afraid of James McDermott’s personality. - **Melina**

James McDermott is obviously very unhappy. He treats his boss with disrespect, he is unkind to Jamie Walsh and he does many more things that show he is angry alot of the time. However, we see him say kind words and worm his way into Graces life. He places himself in a position where although she does not like him, he has influence over her. This makes it easy for him to use her, as we see in her past Grace doesnt have much of an upbringing, leaving her with no backbone. A strong confident young man like McDermott could find it easy to control Grace. **- Breanna**

Because James and Grace are the only two servants of the household and have a master and mistress of the house who are most often careless and cruel, it makes sense that despite their mutual dislike for each other they would form a bond. I believe this bond may be the real reason, not the fact the McDermott is menacing and strong, why Grace might decide to go along with the murders. **-Elizabeth**

//What is the significance of the apple peels?// I believe there was some degree of foreshadowing in the apple peels that Mary and Grace peeled. Supposedly, after peeling all of the skin from the apple and tossing it over your shoulder, you will see the first letter of the name of the man you will marry. While Grace had a "J", Mary could not manage to get all of the peel off either of her two apples in one piece. This left her upset, probably thinking she would have little luck in marriage. This might have been leading up to her death from her abortion, and also the man who had previously promised to marry her, but then went back on his word. In this sense, the superstitious game's outcome came true. (She did not marry). **-Laura**
 * Other Questions**

The apple peels were significant in a way of foreshadowing Mary Whitney`s death and also who Grace might end up marrying. Mary had a difficult time peeling the other apples. She ruined two of them and almost broke the last apple peel. Unable to continue, she made the excuse it was only a silly house maid`s tale, covering up her true feelings that she was deeply upset. This is probably foreshadowing that she would not marry, which actually did occur. She died of an abortion, therefore she was unable to get married, as Laura has said. I also believe that Grace`s apple peel revealed a ``J`` because she will marry someone with the initial ``J``. I think that man could end up being Dr. Simon Jordan, since his name has the initial ``J``. **- Melina**

I also thought that the letter J for the apple peel was interesting, because although Dr Jordan first came to mind for the man Grace was going to marry, it also occured to me that there is another man in Grace's life whose name starts with a J: Jeremiah the Peddler! He has always been a kind friend to Grace, and Lydia even calls him and "admirer" of hers. He also re-entered her life after she was convicted with murder, although we are not sure why as of yet. **-Elizabeth**

I think the significance of the apple peels are it foreshadows what happens to Mary Whitney and possibly Grace Marks in the future. While the apple scene seems fairly unimportant and without meaning, I believe that it had something to do with why Mary Whitney died from abortion and without marriage. I also think that it has a purpose in Grace's relationships with men in this novel because all their names start with the letter J, which the apple peels clearly revealed. - Rachel Lee

The apple peels are used for foreshadowing the future of Grace and Mary Whitney. Since grace gets the letter J with her apple peels, it means that she will marry someone whose name starts with the letter J. There are many men in Grace's life whose names start with J like Jamie Walsh, James McDermott, and Jeremiah the Peddler. Mary Whitney's apple peels break which foreshadow that she will not get married. - **Kaitlyn**

//Why in this society Ms. Honey want to cover up what Mary actually died of?// I believe Ms. Honey wanted to cover up the cause Mary's death because throughout all of time abortion has been strongly frowned upon. Although it is possible that Ms. Honey had Mary's pride in mind it is very unlikely. It is more probable that Ms. Honey did not want work to get out that she had allowed a young, unmarried servent girl to get pregnent, and worse yet, not get married to the man and kill the baby. Although she had nothing to do with it, Ms. Honey will be the one everyone will look down upon and she does not want to have to suffer because of Marys mistake. - Breanna

Ms. Honey probably wanted to cover up the death of Mary because of the controversy with the topic of abortion. It would ruin Ms. Honey’s reputation. Ms. Honey also did not the real story of what happened, such as who impregnated Mary. In their time period it was difficult to truly discover the cause of death, so lying about her death would be an ideal method to hide something. If Ms. Honey says something about the abortion, she could lose her job and possibly not have a job again. Keeping Mary’s death a secret seems to be a necessary thing to do in Ms. Honey and Mrs. Alderman Parkinson’s situation. - **Melina**

Mary's death was also particularly scandalous because it is quite probable that it was someone of a higher class than herself that impregnated her, and if word got out the people would be supicious of the man involved. He may be incriminated for Mary Whitney's death, which would not be ideal, especially since it was most likely someone close by. - ** Elizabeth **

** Abortion was not well known of in those days so Ms. Honey would not want everyone knowing that one of her housemaids died of having to get an abortion. Society believed that you should not kill your baby if you got pregnant but you should keep it no matter what. It was also probably looked down upon by society to be pregnant before you got married. Ms. Honey would be embarrassed about this and probably didn't want Mary Whitney to be seen in this way either. - Kaitlyn**

//In your opinion, who was the man that impregnated Mary? Explain.// In my opinion, the man that was responsible for impregnating Mary Whitney and, ultimately, her death, was Mrs Alderman Parkinson's son. I believe it was likely to be him because Mary Whitney did not start staying out late and stop talking to Grace until after he came home from school. This suggests that he was the one responsible for the baby. It also explains why Mary was not willing to keep the baby, because if she did the Alderman Parkinson's would become a scandolous family, and she would most likely be thrown out and called a liar. - **Elizabeth**

I agree with Elizabeth. It makes sense that Mary Whitney would not want to keep the baby so that Mrs. Alderman Parkinson would not find out. She did not want her family to be looked down upon by society. - **Kaitlyn**

I also agree, because in the novel it mentioned that when Mrs Alderman Parkinson, Ms Honey, and Grace were talking and Mrs Alderman Parkinson and Ms Honey were questioning Grace about who impregnated Mary, Grace said she did not know. Ms Honey and Mrs Alderman Parkinson assumed it must have been a sailor, but Grace said that Mary told her he was a gentleman. That was a hint that it was probably Mrs Alderman Parkinson's son, since he was probably a gentleman and Mrs Alderman Parkinson would have surely thought so too. - **Melina**



__** Section 3 **__ ** By: Breanna Willms ** //1) Why do you think Grace used the name "Mary Whitney" as her alias?// I think Grace used the name "Mary Whitney" as her alias because she was the only person who Grace really trusted and depended on. Mary was a true friend to Grace, never let her down, and was always there for her no matter what the situation. Lastly, when Grace was at her most vulnerable and weak state, Mary Whitney was the one who helped her get back on her feet and cheered her up. - **Rachel Lee**

I don't think there was any deep meaning behind Grace's reasoning in picking Mary Whitney's name as her alias. I believe it was simply that Mary Whitney was her first and only friend, and so Grace knew she wouldn't mind if she 'borrowed' her name. -**Laura**

I think Grace used the name Mary Whitney as her alias because it was her best friend. Also because she was dead so it's not like Mary Whitney would be concerned about someone else using her name. Another reason is because Grace loved her, trusted her, and always looked up to her. Grace probably at some times even wished that she were her. This was Grace's chance to live in the identity of Mary Whitney. - **Kaitlyn**

Perhaps Grace chose the alias Mary Whitney out of nostalgia, and perhaps wondered what Mary Whitney would say if she could see her now. It is also possible that Grace was more than ever wishing that she could be with Mary Whitney again, in the Alderman Parkinson's house. She was in a very different place at that moment than she was when she was in a house hold where she was respected, valued and loved. **-Elizabeth**

//2) Why is Dr. Jordan so intent on setting Grace free?// I think Dr. Jordan is so intent on setting Grace free because I believe he really loves her which makes him want to believe that she is innocent. Grace is far more interesting and different from all the other women in Dr. Jordan's life and I think that is the reason why he is so intrigued and pulled in by her character and her stories. But I also believe the other reason Dr. Jordan is so intent on setting Grace free is to achieve his dream on creating a private asylum specialized for lunatics, and clearly, Grace Marks is the only person that can make it happen or not. - **Rachel Lee**

I also think that Dr Jordan has a quality to him that he enjoys a mystery. The fact that Grace always seemed to be hding something from him, and was not totally willing to let him in most likely made him want to know even more about her. Perhaps if she had been completely open with him from the beginning he would not be so interested in her case to begin with. That paired with the fact that there were obvious inexplicable gaps in her story and the amount of trust people had for her when she was in the penitentiary and their fierce belief that she was innocent must have made Dr Jordan even more determined to get to the bottom of her case. - **Elizabeth**

I think that Dr. Jordan really wants to set Grace free because he believes her to be a regular woman who is innocent. He also is starting to have feelings for Grace even if he doesn't want to admit it. He doesn't believe that an innocent woman, especially one of such sense and character should be locked up in the Penitentiary. Therefore, he is willing to listen to her story and try to free her from the Penitentiary so she can go in living the life that she should be living. - **Kaitlyn**

Dr. Jordan probably does not want to believe that Grace is not innocent. He has begun to really like her as a person, whether it be in a relationship or just as friends. When someone likes someone, they tend to only look at their positive traits and set aside their negative ones. Therefore, he will try to believe she is innocent. Also, it is important for Dr. Jordan to do well in this case because it is one of first as a doctor and he needs to start off in the right direction. He will be known for his amazing achievements and will be able to get hired and have the career choice he has always wanted. - **Melina**

//3) Thinking back to the apple peels, who do you think the "J" Grace cut refers to? Could it be Jamie Walsh, Dr. Jordan, or even Jeremiah the Peddler? Explain your choice.// In my opinion, the "J" could be referring to Jamie Walsh. I don't think it would be Dr. Jordan, because he is only her doctor, first of all, and secondly, Jordan is his last name, not his first. Jerimiah unlikely, because although he does ask her at one point to come away with him from Mr. Kinnear's house, she says no, and we already know that the murders will take place before she has a chance to run away with him again. He also starts going under a new name, and doesn't even show up at Grace's trial, so we don't know where he is until later in the book. He just disappears. Therefore, that leaves Jamie Walsh. I think it is him, because we already know he has feelings for Grace, and we don't actually know what happens to Jamie after Grace's trial, which means he could come back. -**Laura**

When I was reading this part of the novel I did not even consider Jamie Walsh to be a possible husband for Grace, because in my mind he was never really portrayed as a romantic interest to her. Although when she was sixteen they were companions and he clearly had feelings for her, at the trial he spoke against her and then never saw her again. For this reason I was considerably surprised by the way the novel ended. - **Elizabeth**

//4) Why is Jeremiah going by the name Jerome DuPont?//

I think Jeremiah is going be the name Jerome DuPoint because he knows that if he goes back his old name, Jeremiah, people might recognize him as a peddler and not take him seriously enough. Also, he might have wanted to prove to Grace that he is a changed man and is not the same laid back, friendly person he used to be, which will make Grace think highly of him and show him more respect. - **Rachel Lee**

I agree with Rachel. I think it could also be that he doesn't want to be tracked down as the one who sold James the shirts, since at one point, McDermott did blame Jeremiah for the murders. Even though the trial is over, perhaps he is using a new name to protect himself and start a new life. -**Laura**

I think that he is going by this name because it is good alias for him because he would not want to use the name he had when he was a peddler because it would look unprofessional. I think he chose the name Jerome DuPont because it seems more professional - **Melina**

Jeremiah may have gone by this name because he knew that it would help him in his plan to free Grace and clear her name. Because of his hypnotism, the truth was revealed and she was set free. I believe that Jeremiah is the type of man that is able to go quickly from one thing to the next, and able to excel at everything he does. This is demonstrated by the fact that he was a successful peddler and then easily fooled society into believe he was a medical doctor. **-Elizabeth**

I think that Jeremiah goes by the name Dr. DuPont because he may feel that people would recognize his name as him previously being a peddler. He might have wanted to move up in life or get a better job, so he changed his identity and his look to go along with it. He may not even fully know what he is doing, but since people believe he is a professional, he is taken seriously. - **Kaitlyn**

//5) After the murders, James McDermott threatens Grace several times. Why doesn't he just kill her and get her out of the way?// I think that McDermott never killed Grace because he had feelings for her, however much she claimed that she never encouraged them. Also I think there is a big difference between having an accomplice to a crime and murdering people on your own. For one, you have someone to rely on and it would be much less lonely. Second of all, there would be someone to share the blame with, and you would feel much less guilty about your actions. If James were to kill Grace as well he would just have the added guilt of her death and no one to share it with. -**Elizabeth**
 * __ MARK THIS ONE PLEASE! __**

I think that James McDermott does not kill her and get her out of the way after the murders because I believe that he is a very weak, insecure, and an unstable man because there is no way that a confident, strong person would murder his own innocent boss as well as lure a teenager into the murder with him. This shows that James is not as tough as he tries to seem and because of this reason, he needs Grace to comfort and be alongside him. I do not believe James has any other hope without Grace, and that while he threatens her several times, he knows that he still needs her. - Rachel Lee

I think that James McDermott may not have killed Grace so he could have a companion and because he knew she was also guilty. Therefore he wouldn't have to suffer the consequences on his own. Maybe since he had feelings for her, it was a way of letting her suffer if they got caught. Suffer for not having the same feelings for him. She would have to undergo the consequences. If they did not get caught, he was planning to live with her which was also a product of his affection towards her. - **Kaitlyn**

//6) In your opinion, did Margaret Atwood knowingly give all the males in the book a name beginning with a "J", or was it coincidence? Why may she have chosen to do this?// No. Margaret Atwood tried to stick to real facts as much as possible throughout the book, unless there was not enough information, in which case she tried to reasonably fill in the gaps. This includes names. It just happens that the people involved in Grace's life, and the people she knew had names that started with a "J". -**Laura**

I think that she definitely did have all the names start with J because there were no names mentioned of the man Grace married, as there are no records of her after that. Also I do not think that the names of the peddler that sold the shurt or the doctor that visited her were mentioned, although I'm sure that Jamie Walsh's may have been as he testified at Grace's trial. The apple peel scene was a work of fiction, and used to build suspense and give a clue as to who Grace was going to marry. Atwood made all the men connected to Grace have names starting with a J for this purpose, so that the reader would not be sure which man Grace would end up with. -**Elizabeth**

I think that Margaret Atwood knowingly did give all the males in the book a name beginning with a "J" and that it was not a coincidence to show the readers that the men in Grace's life all really do admire and are interested in Grace. These men also held very significant roles in Grace's life that changed her as a person greatly, and without them, her life would have been completely different from what it actually was in the novel. I think Maragret Atwood wanted the readers to find a pattern in all the men in the book and therefore, I do not believe it was a coincidence. - Rachel Lee I think that Margaret Atwood wants people to imagine what the end of the book might be. She wants people to have many options of men with J as the first letter of their name because then there are so many different men that you could think Grace will marry and it's a huge mystery. I for one, thought that Dr. Jordan and Grace would end up together even though his first name didn't start with J. She did that on purpose too, making the first letter of his LAST name start with a J. The reader may think that maybe he is an option for Grace because of his last name but he never is because his first name is Simon. The ending comes as a surprise to most people and that is how Margaret Atwood wanted it to be. - **Kaitlyn**

//7) Before he follows through with the murders, McDermott tells Grace what he is planning to do. If you found yourself in her shoes would you have kept silent and let McDermott do what he wanted, or would you have risked your life and gone to find help?// If it was me, I think I would have tried to warn Nancy and Mr. Kinnear, though a little more persistently than Grace did. After that, if they still did not believe me, I would probably have run to Jamie Walsh, since he lived nearby, and gotten help. At the very least, having Jamie at the house would have stopped McDermott from murdering them while he was around, and perhaps if James had waited another day, he would have realized himself how outrageous his plan to murder was, and it wouldn't have happened. -**Laura**

If I was in Grace's shoes and I found out that McDermott was planning on killing Mr. Kinnear and Nancy, I would have probably told someone. It is enough having it on your conscious that you let that happen, but also being there and watching it is a lot to handle. I think I would have warned Mr. Kinnear and Nancy, although it may be difficult that they would not take it seriously. Telling someone I truly trusted would be better, but it is also difficult being Grace's situation because Grace did not have anyone she could trust. It is better to risk my life than to have the heavy burden that you let something like that happen. I don't think McDermott would have done anything to Grace if she told, because if Mr. Kinnear and Nancy alerted the authorities he would have been taken away and out of the way of Grace, no longer making him a threat. - **Melina**

I think that if I were in Grace's shoes I would not have gone through with the murders and have gone to find help because I believe there were many opportunities available for Grace to do the right thing, which she did not. I believe watching someone kill two innocent people is the same thing as doing the killing because if Grace had tried to find help, Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery might have had the chance to live. I believe Grace is also a coward and weak, just like James McDermott, and even if she had not done the killing, she still played an important role in deciding Thomas and Nancy's future. - Rachel Lee

If I were Grace I would leave the house altogether. Jeremiah had already warned her that trouble was coming in the house, and her previous mistress also warned her that it would be better for her to not take the position there. After knowing all of this and then hearing a vicious man threatening to commit murder, I would have been too worried to stay there. I probably would have gone to Jamie Walsh's house to get help. If I couldn't find help there I would go into town and find someone who would stop what was going to take place, and then I would quit working at the house. **- Elizabeth**

In Grace's position, I would have been very afraid of James coming after me for telling somebody but I would tell someone anyways. I could not just standby and know that two people I know are going to get murdered. I would feel guilty afterwards if I had done that. Almost as guilty as if I had killed them myself. If I had told Nancy and she didn't believe me, I would keep telling her until she did. Grace kind of just let it go when Nancy didn't believe her. I may not have directly told Nancy or Mr. Kinnear that James was going to murder them, but I may have told Jamie Walsh or a neighbour that I trusted. And someone who already knew that James McDemott was not a nice man. They could have believed me and two lives could have been saved. - **Kaitlyn**

__**Section 4**__ **By: Laura Wiens **

// 1) Having now read the whole book, why do you think Margaret Atwood entitled it "Alias Grace"? // I think it was was entitled "Alias Grace" because for a short time, Grace uses Mary Whitney's name as an alias. Later on, during the neuro-hypnotism, we learn that Mary has been possessing Grace, which is why Grace couldn't remember so many events from the murder, particularly killing Nancy. It is ironic, because although Grace once used Mary's name, Mary, after dying and not being able to escape through the window, enters Grace's body. This is, in essence, an 'alias', for Mary Whitney, who is not only using Grace's name, but her whole body, as well, to commit the murder. I think the point was that the one who was really using an alias, was Mary, not Grace, and Grace herself may not have been fully responsible for the crime she was convicted for. -**Laura**

Atwood may have also been referring to the fact that everyone has an "alias", a way we appear on the outside to hide who we really are on the inside. Mary Whitney seemed to be a kind, hardworking servant girl. However, she was really capable of murder. Similarly James McDermott seemed to be a cold but not altogether unlikeable man, but underneath it all he was willing to kill the people he disliked. **-Elizabeth**

// 2) Do you think Grace was conscious of what was happening during the neuro-hypnotism, or was it really Mary Whitney? // I do not think that Grace was conscious of what was happening during the neuro-hypnotism. She thought she was just sleeping, and also she cannot remember some of the events of what happened the day that mr.kinnear and Nancy was murdered. I do not think Grace should be held responsible for what Mary Whitney's spirit did while inside of her. - **Amanda**

I think it really could be both ways, that Grace could have been pretending to be possessed by Mary Whitney or that it was actually Mary Whitney who was controlling Grace during the neuro-hypnotism. Grace could have been really possessed by Mary because everyone had heard her speak in a strange and abnormal voice, Grace was not acting like herself because she was laughing and saying things in a cruel manner, and lastly because she had even admitted to ending Nancy's life with a kerchief. But on the other hand, it could have all been an act that Grace pulled because even Dr. Simon Jordan himself was doubting if it was all a joke and just a way out of prison. - **Rachel L**

There is evidence that Grace was partially aware of what was going on while she was being possessed. Some "dreams" that she had, such as the one where she is standing in the yard surrounded by headless angels and being caressed by a faceless man, were small snippets of what Mary Whitney was actually doing when she possessed her. However, Grace just believed this was a dream as it was the most logical explanation. However, I do not believe that Grace was in control of her actions while she was being possessed. **-Elizabeth**

Although it would make the most sense to say that Grace was faking the possession to make herself look innocent, I would like to think that it was really Mary Whitney inside of her. Even though it is not very realistic that that would happen, it's only a fictional book based on real events. Plus, people can truly get possessed in real life too so it is a definite possibility. However, it may not have been Mary Whitney specifically that possessed her, but a demon who took the name of Mary Whitney and made her help kill Nancy. Those are only a few possibilities though. The most realistic thing would be to say that Grace wanted to prove her innocence by faking the possession in the hypnotism which did work in the end. - **Kaitlyn**

// 3) After Reverend Verringer fights for Grace's freedom based on the events of the hypnotism, she is set free. Do you think she deserves to be pardoned? What if Grace was acting during the hypnotism? In which case, do you think it's fair that she earns freedom because of that procedure, that may or may not have been genuine? // In my opinion I do think she deserved to be pardoned, she has no memory of what she had done, and it is valid that spirits have taken over people in the past. I think that there should have been more procedures done to prove that she really does not remember, but overall I think she does deserve freedom. - **Amanda**

In my opinion, this is a difficult question to answer. I think that in writing this book Atwood is trying to find an answer herself as to what would make a court change their mind about a woman who everyone was so certain was guilty. I think that the point she was trying to make in writing the book was that things are not always as they appear to be, and that you have to be open to different possibilities and not simply close your mind to things that may not seem possible. I also think that Atwood is saying that everyone deserves to be given a chance a freedom and should be treated equally and fairly no matter what the circumstances are. - **Elizabeth**

Yes, I believe Grace does deserve to be pardoned and that she earns freedom from the procedure because there were no significant or valuable evidence that proved she was even guilty of the murders in the first place, therefore, I believe she has the right to be set free with the help of the maybe, not so dependable procedure. Also, a lot of the characters in the book believed that Grace Marks was innocent and that wanted her to be declared innocent and set free, and even during her time with Dr. Jordan, Grace did not show any signs of being a violent murderess. - Rachel Lee

I believe that Grace deserves to be pardoned because I don't believe she actually committed the murders and if the neuro-hypotism revealing that Grace was possessed by Mary Whitney was correct, then she does not deserve to spend anymore time in a prison or asylum. Even if Grace did kill Nancy, she probably was forced by James McDermott. Grace already spent enough time in jail and in the asylum anyways and she seemed like a confident person who was not capable of murdering anyone anyways. - **Melina** // 4) Throughout the book, there is the theme of insanity. Do you believe Grace was truly insane, or was she just possessed? //

I think that grace was not truly insane, because if she was she would not have been let out of the asylum. I do think that Mary Whitney did posses her. - **Amanda**

I believe Grace was truly insane because I do not believe in people being possessed or taken over by a spirit, but that could just be my opinion. I think Grace was so overwhelmed and shocked by the death of her true best friend, Mary Whitney and the belief that her soul was trapped in one of Mrs. Alderman Parkinson's rooms because the windows had not been open, that it had made her crazy and mentally ill. I do believe that Grace was experiencing an extreme personality disorder but I do not think she was possessed by her childhood friend. - Rachel L

Throughout the novel Grace does show some signs of a mentally unstable person, such as the unorganized way her sections of the book are written and her obsession with certain pieces of information.This obsession may be because Grace is clinging to the part of her life when she was happiest, and hopes to pretend that she is still there and did not make the decisions she made. However, one of the attributes of the book is that the reader is left wondering and can decide for themselves whether or not she was indeed insane. **-Elizabeth**

// 5) What do you think happened to Simon Jordon after the war he took part in? Supposedly, according to a letter his mother wrote to Mrs. Humphrey, he suffered some short-term memory loss. Do you think he will ever remember Grace? If so, how do you think he would react to the letter she sends to him upon her pardon? // I think Dr. Jordan stopped studying mental illnesses and psychology after the war because of what had happened to Grace and the fact that he left his studies for a war. Yes, I do think Dr. Jordan will remember Grace because she had impacted his life and the way he thinks and looks at other people, especially those who are mentally ill because he had even considered marrying her. They were also good friends and Grace had really trusted him as well as the possibility that the two may have been in love. Also, in one of the letters that Dr. Jordan's mother had sent to Mrs. Humphrey, she has stated that Dr. Jordan had called his future fiance Grace, which proves that he probably did not forget her. I think Dr. Jordan will be happy and relieved when he reads Grace's letter because he will finally know that she is in a good place and is taken care of in addition to the fact that she still remembers and thinks of him. - Rachel L

I think that Dr Jordan got what he longed for when things were getting more complicated with Grace and Rachel: a financially secure wife who was willing to take care of his every need. I do not think that this is the situation that would have brought him the most happiness, but his own decisions dictated what his fate would be. I think that he will be forever haunted by Grace, even with his memory loss, and that reading the letter would only worsen the sense of loss and grief he will feel for the rest of his life. **-Elizabeth**

// 6) Why do you think Dr. Jordan decides to leave for his home and Europe? // I think Dr. Jordan decides to leave his home for Europe mainly because of three reasons, his hidden affair with Mrs. Humphrey, his mother's illness, and because he finally understands that Grace is innocent and will be set free. I believe Dr. Jordan could not go to Europe to his mother to get away from Mrs. Humphrey because of his studies with Grace but after the hypnosis and the answer being revealed, there is nothing holding him back. I also think that he wanted to stay with Grace but because of the two other overpowering reasons, he had to choose the other path of leaving. - Rachel L

I think that Dr Jordan decides to leave for Europe because he is running away from everything he had in his past situation. Although he wanted to explore Grace's mind and make new psychological breakthroughs, when he actually witnessed something extraordinary and life changing he was confused. Simon was unwilling to consider the truth to what he had seen, and so instead of trying to help Grace as he promised he simply left for Europe. He had also clearly gone too far with Rachel, and regretted his actions. Instead of doing the responsible thing and being honest with her, however, he decided to simply leave her and say his mother's illness was dire. **-Elizabeth**

I think that part of the reason Dr. Jordan goes back home to Europe is because he is running away from love and from committment. He says that he doesn't even allow himself to think about Grace until he is far enough away which proves in a way that she could have changed his mind about leaving. Things are overwhelming for him in Kingston and he needs to escape from it all. However, I don't think it was the right thing to do. **- Kaitlyn**

// 7) Mary Whitney asks, during the hypnotism, that they do not tell Grace about her when she wakes up. Do you think Grace will ever find out about Mary possessing her? // No, I do not think Grace will ever find out about Mary possessing her because she is now in a good, safe place with a man who had known her for years. I do not think anyone will want to purposely ruin her by telling her she was "possessed" by her childhood friend and even if they did, I do not think Grace will believe them. Lastly, if she actually was possessed by Mary Whitney, I believe Mary has now left her body and is no longer controlling her because everything is finally over, the death, the trials, court, prison, thus, there is no reason for Mary to continue to live in Grace's body. - Rachel L

I do not think that Grace will find out about what happen during the hypnotism because it would be impossible for her to find out since she was unconscious. It is possible that someone could tell her about what happened, but I do not think anyone would want to ruin Grace's opinion of her only friend that she's ever really had. It does not matter to her now anymore, although being a terrible memory, since she is now finished her sentence in jail and the asylum and is now free. - **Melina**

I think that Grace may never be given a clear answer as to why she was pardoned, but she must have some suspicions as to what was going on inside her mind during the murders. The fact that people were saying she said things that she had no recollection of, and there was evidence she had gone places she couldn't remember going would have caused suspicion and curiosity to someone in their right mind, and they would begin to wonder themselves what was going on. Whether or not Grace came up with a similar explanation herself is uncertain**.-Elizabeth**

I don't think that anyone who knew they were best friends would tell Grace because it would ruin the innocent picture of Mary Whitney that she has in her head. Mary was also a person she looked up to. However, if someone didn't know that, they would probably eventually tell her. And like Elizabeth said, she would have to have a good reason why she was set free from prison. **- Kaitlyn**

// 8) Why do you think Grace decides to make her Tree of Paradise quilt differently than it is usually made? // She has always wanted to create the Tree of Paradise quilt, so for Grace it is very important. I think that maybe Grace wants to forget what terrible things have happened in her life. By making a quilt to her liking she add maybe the story of how she has always wanted her life to be and the paradise she dreams of. **- Melina**

The quilt may be a kind of reminder of the choices she made at pivotal moments in her life and how they affected her for the rest of her life. For example, she has a square from Nancy's petticoat and a square from her prison night gown. This could represent that Nancy's death led to her time in prison. There is also a square from Mary Whitney's dress, which could represent that Mary Whitney saved her from life in prison as well. **-Elizabeth**

// 9) Now that you have read the whole book, what do you think the significance of the dreams of the characters were? // I think that for the most part the dreams were tools used to foreshadow within the novel. The author used them to give hints as to what was going to happen to the characters, as well as giving the reader a deeper insight into the character's mind, thoughts and motives. For example, Grace's dreams are very significant in showing the reader that she was possessed by something, if not being clear on what or whom possessed her. I thought that the dreams were an interesting an intriguing aspect of the novel and contributed greatly to the mystery of it.-**Elizabeth**

I agree with Elizabeth, foreshadowing was a very important element in this novel. The reader could get a good idea of what was going to happen without it being given away. For example, in Grace's dream about Death, it doesn't show who is going to die, she just has the feeling that someone will in the house. All the dreams in the book explain the characters true motives and situations in more detail and explain how the plot is going to eventually pan out. **- Kaitlyn**