Corregidora

At one point, Ursa speculates on how Cat got the teen neighbor girl, Jeffey, “to mind” (39). Based on the contextual clues in the novel, how does Cat accomplish this feat?

Ursa’s mom tells Ursa, “Mama and Gram. I knew they hated me. Cause you come out all baldheaded” (116). Why does this feature make them hate Ursa’s mom?

Throughout the novel, Ursa’s scar is given a good amount of attention. Why does this scar make so many appearances in this book? What is its significance?

What do Ursa’s interactions with her doctor say about women’s rights and women’s health in 1950s America?

At the end of the novel, Mutt asks Ursa to come back. Why does Ursa return to Mutt?

What similarities exist between Ursa’s estranged father, Martin, and Ursa’s first husband, Mutt? Why are these similarities important to Ursa?

Martin asks Great Gram and Grandmama, “How much was hate for Corregidora, and how much was love” (131)? Why does Martin accuse them of loving their enslaver?

In the novel, flashbacks and dreams are presented in italics, whereas all current actions and thoughts are presented in a standard font. Why might the author have chosen to format flashbacks and dreams in the same typographic style?