The Temple of My Familiar

The narrative style in the book is disjointed and non-linear, with abrupt jumps in setting and perspective. What effect does this have on how the story reads? How does this narrative style reinforce some of the book’s messages?

Walker is known for centering the experiences of Black women in her writing. How does this develop in The Temple of My Familiar? What are the roles of characters like Tanya and Mary Jane Briden?

Olivia advises Fanny to forgive, as remembrance of violence only begets more violence. Examine the validity of this statement across the stories in the book.

Within the context of the book, explore how and why Spirituality in the Diaspora differs from its presentation in ancient culture.

Critically examine the African American lived experience, as presented in the book, with the African one. What similarities and differences emerge, and what socio-historical and cultural factors contribute to them?

Painting is a recurring motif in the book, though it symbolizes different things for Hal and Lissie as characters. How does the motif appear in other characters’ stories? What role does it play in these cases?

Compare and contrast Suwelo and Carlotta’s entanglement with Fanny and Arveyda’s, then trace how these relationships change over the course of the book. Are there any similarities in their respective dynamics? What contributes to the differences?

What role does sexuality play in the book? Examine the different contexts in which it is explored, including both conventional and unconventional relationships, and what it signifies in each instance.