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The Twelve-Mile Straight

An audacious American epic set in rural Georgia during the years of the ...

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Discuss The Twelve-Mile Straight by Eleanor Henderson

How does Nan's state further entrench her status within the racial and gendered power structure of the Jesup family?

9

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Juke and String were from different classes but were still close friends. Why did this change? Are there any childhood friendships you remember, and any you still retain?

9

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

What is the historical impact of Prohibition and the Great Depression on the Jesup family and the farm?

6

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Is there a stylistic difference in the way Henderson writes about the physical violence men inflict on other men and the sexual abuse they inflict on women?

6

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Why do you think Elma agreed to pretend to be Wilson’s mother, even though in the eyes of others it brought increased shame on her?

14

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

In what ways do you think the twelve-mile straight acts as a character in its own right?

13

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Where do you think the bad blood between George and Juke started?

9

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

How do you think the relationship between Elma and Nan changes over time?

6

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Juke said the twins were "a blessing, no matter how lean the times." Why do you think he feels this way? Is he sincere? Do you think he loves the twins equally?

8

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Do you think any of the three men Ketty was involved with cared about her?

16

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Why do you think Elma refused to follow Oliver and Nan to Warm Springs?

9

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Why do you think Oliver and Elma married? Were you surprised that they ended up building a life together?

13

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Who is culpable for Genus Jackson's death? Are they all equally guilty?

18

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

How does society look at unwed mothers now? Would it have made a difference if Elma was in a different class, and does it make a difference now?

14

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Did you suspect who Nan and the twins' fathers were before the truth was revealed?

16

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Overall, what did you think of The Twelve-Mile Straight? (no spoilers in this thread please)

33

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

What surprised you about the novel? Did you learn anything new from it?

10

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

How did it affect your experience as a reader to hear the perspective of multiple characters, even characters considered to be villains?

13

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Which characters in the novel did you believe to be innocent and which evil? Do you think any of them achieve redemption? Are there any heroes? Did each get what he or she deserved in the end?

8

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

eating clay

6

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Which gender roles does Elma end up submitting to, and which is she able to subvert?

4

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

And what about Oliver?

6

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Was Oliver right to hide Nan's paternity?

18

Aug. 28, 2018
by taking.mytime

Elma and Nan "knew how easy it was to fashion a sibling, even when the sibling slept under another roof, with a family of its own." Do you agree? Do you have friends who are as close (or closer) than a sibling would be?

2

Jul. 26, 2018
by juliaa

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