Discussion Questions for Anna’s Tree
SPOILER ALERT: Do not read these questions until you have finished reading the novel.
2. Discuss the theme of “sisterhood” in the novel. Is Anna fully supported by the women in her life?
3. The sisters have their own journeys through grief in the novel. How do each of the sisters cope with their mother’s death?
4. Roy poses the greatest threat to Anna and the girls; however, there are also threats posed by Norma Douglas and other women in the wider community. Explain. Is this situation indicative of women’s
behaviour towards each other even to this day?
5. In the novel, Anna is the victim of gossip, discrimination, harassment and sexual assault. Is her character a stereotyped victim or is she a fully realized character? How are her experiences
representative of many women’s experiences throughout history?
6. Would you classify this novel as a tragic or a redemptive story? Why?
7. Millie tries to help the girls through their grief and to protect them from the threats
posed by Roy and small-town gossip. Is she successful? Is she a good parental influence or role
model for the sisters? Do you agree with her decisions to keep secrets in order to protect the girls?
Was she right to encourage Anna’s relationship with Denny? Do you understand her decision to
destroy the correspondence with Denny’s family?
8. Denny and Anna’s brief romance provides joyful and touching moments in the story.
Discuss the emotions raised by the love story and the subsequent heartbreaks. Did you believe in the
steadfastness of their love?
9. The decision to keep the rape a secret is heart-breaking and controversial. Was it the right decision for Anna and the girls? Was this decision understandable in the 1940s? Why do women sometimes
still make this decision today?
10. Anna’s death is an unexpected plot development. How does this event affect her sisters and
change the trajectory of their lives?
11. Which character undergoes the most personal growth in the novel? Do you have a favourite character? Explain your choice.
12. The title Anna’s Tree can be interpreted more than one way. Discuss the literal and figurative
meanings of the title.
13. James is a consistent background character throughout the novel. Discuss his role in the story.
How does he contribute both to the tragic and redemptive elements of the plot?
14. Animals also play a significant role in the story. Discuss how Laddie, Babe, Daisy’s calf and
Jeannie’s kitten contribute to the reader’s understanding of the human characters and the plot
development. How does the quotation from Black Beauty, read by Maggie in Chapter 2, foreshadow
the climax of the novel in Chapter 17?
15. Objects from nature are used as symbols in the novel. Discuss the symbolism of the tree,
the stars, the acorn and maple syrup.
16. Courage is a consistent theme in the story. Discuss the courage demonstrated by each of
the characters throughout the novel.
17. In what ways does the big maple tree become a character in the novel?
18. How do historical and cultural allusions contribute to the realism of the story? Discuss references
to literature, music and the CBC.
19. The World War 2 setting portrays the resilience of Canadian women on the home front
and Canada’s participation in the British Commonwealth Flight Training Plan. Did you learn anything
new about Canada’s war contribution from the novel?
20. Is there justice for Anna? Discuss with references to the birth of Will, the ice storm and
the epilogue.
SPOILER ALERT: Do not read these questions until you have finished reading the novel.
- Anna’s Tree has been described as Little Women meets #MeToo. Discuss the ways the novel is both traditional in style like Louisa May Alcott’s novel yet explores issues still faced by women today.
2. Discuss the theme of “sisterhood” in the novel. Is Anna fully supported by the women in her life?
3. The sisters have their own journeys through grief in the novel. How do each of the sisters cope with their mother’s death?
4. Roy poses the greatest threat to Anna and the girls; however, there are also threats posed by Norma Douglas and other women in the wider community. Explain. Is this situation indicative of women’s
behaviour towards each other even to this day?
5. In the novel, Anna is the victim of gossip, discrimination, harassment and sexual assault. Is her character a stereotyped victim or is she a fully realized character? How are her experiences
representative of many women’s experiences throughout history?
6. Would you classify this novel as a tragic or a redemptive story? Why?
7. Millie tries to help the girls through their grief and to protect them from the threats
posed by Roy and small-town gossip. Is she successful? Is she a good parental influence or role
model for the sisters? Do you agree with her decisions to keep secrets in order to protect the girls?
Was she right to encourage Anna’s relationship with Denny? Do you understand her decision to
destroy the correspondence with Denny’s family?
8. Denny and Anna’s brief romance provides joyful and touching moments in the story.
Discuss the emotions raised by the love story and the subsequent heartbreaks. Did you believe in the
steadfastness of their love?
9. The decision to keep the rape a secret is heart-breaking and controversial. Was it the right decision for Anna and the girls? Was this decision understandable in the 1940s? Why do women sometimes
still make this decision today?
10. Anna’s death is an unexpected plot development. How does this event affect her sisters and
change the trajectory of their lives?
11. Which character undergoes the most personal growth in the novel? Do you have a favourite character? Explain your choice.
12. The title Anna’s Tree can be interpreted more than one way. Discuss the literal and figurative
meanings of the title.
13. James is a consistent background character throughout the novel. Discuss his role in the story.
How does he contribute both to the tragic and redemptive elements of the plot?
14. Animals also play a significant role in the story. Discuss how Laddie, Babe, Daisy’s calf and
Jeannie’s kitten contribute to the reader’s understanding of the human characters and the plot
development. How does the quotation from Black Beauty, read by Maggie in Chapter 2, foreshadow
the climax of the novel in Chapter 17?
15. Objects from nature are used as symbols in the novel. Discuss the symbolism of the tree,
the stars, the acorn and maple syrup.
16. Courage is a consistent theme in the story. Discuss the courage demonstrated by each of
the characters throughout the novel.
17. In what ways does the big maple tree become a character in the novel?
18. How do historical and cultural allusions contribute to the realism of the story? Discuss references
to literature, music and the CBC.
19. The World War 2 setting portrays the resilience of Canadian women on the home front
and Canada’s participation in the British Commonwealth Flight Training Plan. Did you learn anything
new about Canada’s war contribution from the novel?
20. Is there justice for Anna? Discuss with references to the birth of Will, the ice storm and
the epilogue.
