E.K. Sparks
Dept of English
Clemson U
wr. 1996
posted 2001

Discussion Questions for Second Day of Reading on Mama Day (pp. 107-226)


1. Candle Walk is Willow Springs' version of Christmas. How is Candle Walk similar to and different from traditional Christmas celebrations? How are the rituals of Candle Walk tied into the history of the community? What do the changes in Candle Walk show about the way the community is changing?

2. What are we learning about the history of pain in the Day family? Who all has died and why? How do the names "Peace" and "Ophelia" embody the family history?

3. What are some of the conflicts in the early stages of George and Cocoa's relationship and marriage? Do these conflicts stem from ambiguities in their gender roles or are they caused by differences in their backgrounds?

4. What is the significance of the "Other Place"? Why are some people attracted to it and others repelled?

5. What is the source of Mama Day's power over Bernice. How much of a role does faith play in her success with Bernice?

6. Who is Ruby? What has she done to/about other women who compete with her for Junior Lee's affection? Why would she put a charm under Mama Day's front steps? What's going on with the peaches?

7. In what ways is George as out of place in Willow Springs as Cocoa was in New York? How does being in Willow Springs change his behavior and attitudes?

8. Do George and Cocoa share the same dream? What do the differences in the dream(s) show us about their relationship? What could the dreams be foreshadowing? What do they suggest could go wrong between George and Cocoa?

9. What does Mama Day's treatment of Carmen Rae show us about her?

10. What does George learn from the men that the females don't have access to? What does this say about the male and female communities on the island?

11. How do Cocoa and George each react to the Other Place? What does each learn by visiting it?