How does the author use Sally’s attempt to burn Thomas’s body as a practical indicator of her unique thought processes? What other indicators of Sally’s so-called “strangeness” does the author include, and how do these examples illustrate the nuances of her character?

Explain the essence of Thomas’s moral ambiguity. Identify two ways in which he helped Sally, and two ways in which he hindered her development. How does Nugent create Thomas’s ongoing presence in the novel even after his death?

What factors motivate Sally to embrace change in her life, and how do certain secondary characters influence Sally’s character development in both positive and negative ways?