Short Story Collection Discussion Questions

Select a story to view the corresponding discussion questions

Ligeia

Long Distance

Love of Life

Maddened by Mystery

Mrs. Packletide's Tiger

My Financial Career

Plato: The Story of a Cat

Rappaccini's Daughter

The Leopard Man's Story

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Ligeia

1. The narrator professes the beauty of Ligeia at some length. In your own words, can you describe what Ligeia looks like? The narrator also notes that she wasn't traditionally beautiful. In our society, what do traditional notions of beauty look like? Can you think of celebrities who meet that standard? How about famous people whose beauty is "strange" and outside the traditional mold?
2. Describe what happens to his second wife, Lady Rowena, through the course of the story. Do you think something supernatural happened, or is there a more reasonable explanation?
3. After the death of Ligeia, the narrator moves to England. Can you describe his new home, and in particular, the room where most of the action occurs? How does the setting of the story add to its mood?

Long Distance

1. Is it true that all men whose calling is hazardous have a daredevil way with women? How did Chet act to women?
2. Besides Chet's leg being shattered in the war, what other injury did he sustain?
3. Why was Miss Kate smiling at the end of the story?

Love of Life

1. Why did Bill leave the main character in the river? Would you have done the same thing?
2. Did you think the main character was going to survive?
3. Have you ever experienced some kind of deprivation or challenge that changed your behavior, like how nearly starving caused the main character to hoard food at the end of the story?

Maddened by Mystery

1. This story is from a book called Nonsense Novels, which parodies stereotypical genre stories, like The Detective Story, The Rags-to-Riches Story, etc. How does this story make fun of traditional detective stories?
2. At the end of the story, what happens to the Great Detective? How is it presented ironically?
3. When in the story did you realize the Prince of Wurttemburg was not a human?

Mrs. Packletide's Tiger

1. Does Mrs. Packletide seem like a woman you would want to befriend? What motivates her to action? Would you rather befriend Mrs. Packletide or Louisa Mebbin, her paid companion?
2. How do you feel about big game hunting?
3. Louisa Mebbin christens her new cottage "Les Fauves," which means "the beasts." Why do you think she chose this title?

My Financial Career

1. The narrator states that when he goes into a bank, he gets rattled. Is there a place or situation that, without fail, causes you to become rattled?
2. Are you one of those people who keeps money hidden around your house? Do you hide other valuables, like jewelry, for example?
3. Explain the significance of the title.

Plato: The Story of a Cat

1. Many stories attempt to personify or assign human characteristics to animal behavior. How does this story personify Plato? In your experience, is Plato a good representation of cats in general?
2. How might this story be different if the main character was a dog?
3. What about cats do you like or dislike?

Rappaccini's Daughter

1. Explain why Beatrice has been isolated from society. Imagine growing up in her position. What would be the most difficult things about growing up alone?
2. Some readers see parallels in the Garden of Eden story and this story. Explore this comparison.
3. Hawthorne's stories often feature heavy symbolism. Do you see any symbols in this story? Consider the flowers, names of the characters, the fountain, etc.

The Leopard Man's Story

1. How does irony play an important role in this story?
2. Have you been to a traveling circus? What was your favorite act?
3. Describe both Wallace and de Ville. How are they same and how are they different? Which is the most unlikable?