Fellowship Point

While she’s a young mother, Polly writes an essay about the concept of soulmates. Although Dick never acknowledges the essay, Agnes finds it insightful. What does the novel suggest about this concept? Which characters function as soulmates, and what criteria are necessary for two people to be soulmates?

What does the novel suggest about the ambitions of men versus women? To what extent do social norms about these ambitions change over time? Cite passages from the text to support your views.

How do secrets function in the novel? What benefit results from revealing secrets? Should certain secrets remain hidden? If so, why?

Several characters write letters throughout the novel, some sharing thoughts and other insights that they don’t share in person. Choose one character and examine some of that character’s letters to determine how or why they accomplish more than just communication or the sharing of news.

Why does Agnes find herself drawn to the real Nan? In what ways are Agnes and Nan similar? Cite passages from the text to support your views.

Toward the end of the novel, a young Indigenous girl named Mary Mitchell is prosecuted for killing eagles. Mitchell explains her rights as an Indigenous person to do so, and later she and Agnes discuss this, along with Agnes’s views on conservation. Both women operate from a place of love and admiration for wildlife. How does each define good stewardship of the natural world? Can these two opposing views be reconciled? Why or why not?

Fellowship Point was developed by the Lee ancestors, who were Quakers. Conduct some research about Quaker tenets and beliefs to determine how specific characters in the novel uphold or depart from them.

Although Lydia dies at a young age, she continues to impact Polly as her life unfolds. In what ways does Polly’s dwelling on Lydia help her effectively grieve? In what ways might it hold Polly back or hinder her?