Found

I found some discussion questions for Daughter of the Forest.

1. The book begins with Sorcha as a child, naive and innocent regarding rhe brutality of her father's methods of safeguarding his realm. Not until the capture, and her subsequent nursing of the Briton called Simon, does she begin to see this harsh reality. How does this knowledge colour her perceptions of her debt to Simon - and later, to Red - and how does it prepare her for the trials that await her?

2. The Lady Oonagh and the Lady of the Forest are likened to two sides of the same coin, just one of a number of dualities that are echoed throughout the book. Discuss some of the other examples and how they may reflect some of the author's objectives in both plot and message.

3. Discuss the role of Nature in the book, not only as a source of healing, sustenance and protection for Sorcha's people, but as a character that contributes to both plot and action. Is the author effective in bringing the natural world to life, and if so, what conscious decisions do you think she made to achieve this difficult goal?

4. Once Sorcha is in the keeping of Lord Hugh (Red), how do the rumours spread by the local townsfolk about her compare to the claims about the inhumanity of the Britons to her own people? What is the author saying about prejudice, ignorance and fear?

5. Discuss the characters of Sorcha's six brothers, and describe the role each takes in furthering the plot. Are they fully-realized characters?

6. The Fair Folk are portrayed as powerful supernatural forces, godlike in their enchantments, but petty, jealous and vain. How does this behaviour reflect the belief system of the Celtic people? How does it differ from the fledgling Christianity that is shadowed in the book?

7. Discuss the various roles of the supporting women in the book, especially Lady Oonagh, Lady Anne, and Elaine. What traits do they all share? How does the author's presentation of female characters compare to her portrayals of the main male characters?

8. One of the major motifs of the novel is that of absence. Both of Sorcha's parents are absent from her life in different ways: her mother physically, her father spiritually and emotionally. How do these absences help to develop Sorcha's character? In what ways does Sorcha create different bonds due to her parents' absence? How would the presence of her mother change Sorcha's character?

9. Sorcha was anticipated to be the 'seventh son of a seventh son.' She remains very conscious of the fact that she is a woman among a world of men, and the novel often examines instances where Sorcha appears to fail to fulfil expectations. Look for other instances of Sorcha's apparent failures. Are these moments, in fact, moments of weakness or strength? In what ways do these failures lead Sorcha to ultimately accomplish greater goals? How would you define the terms 'failure' and 'success' in terms of this novel? How does Sorcha seem to fail in her greatest task? What revelations does failure bring her?

10. Sorcha's tale takes place in two lands separated by a distance both geographical and ideological. Compare and contrast Sevenwaters and Harrowfield in terms of social order, belief systems, the way authority is secured, and the enemies and allies Sorcha finds in each place. What are the greatest dangers to be suffered in each community? What are the greatest strengths of each community?