The Bean Trees Reading Questions Ch. 7 and 8

Wray Name: E10 Per:

1. How does chapter 7 begin? Why do you think Kingsolver included this little tidbit? Essentially, what are they doing?

2. What do we know about Mattie’s view on religion so far? How does it compare to ideas one finds in organized religion?

3. How does Taylor describe Esperanza? She says Esperanza reminds her of…? What does this suggest about Esperanza’s past?

4. How does Esperanza react to seeing Turtle? What explanation does Estevan offer? What predictions do you have?

5. What’s Estevan like? Why is Taylor drawn to him? How does he compare to other men in the novel?

6. Why does Estevan slam on the brakes? How does Turtle react? How does Taylor react? Why?

7. Taylor tells us that neither she nor Lou Ann could figure out the significance of Turtle’s first word. What is the significance?

8. What perspective on immigration does Virgie Mae Parsons offer? What are we supposed to think about this perspective?

9. At this point in the story, it is clear that Mattie is breaking the law. How would you describe her moral code? Is what she’s doing right? Why or why not? 10. Summarize the story that Estevan tells about heaven and hell. Why does he focus on Mrs. Parsons as he’s telling it? What’s the message behind the story?

11. When Taylor finds out her mother is going to get married, Lou Ann accuses her of being jealous. What does she mean? Do you agree with what she says? Why is the marriage so troubling to Taylor?

12. What’s the miracle of Dog Doo Park? What’s the significance?

13. When Taylor apologizes to Estevan for what Mrs. Parsons said about immigrants and drug dealers, his response surprises her: “This is how Americans think. You believe that if something terrible happens to someone, they must have deserved it.” She responds with, “I guess it makes us feel safe.” (117). Do you agree with what each of them says? Why would it make us feel safe knowing that people “deserve it”?

14. While at the doctor’s office, what does Taylor notice outside the window? What does this discovery have to do with what she’s just learned about Turtle?