Follow the River

In the Author’s Note, James Alexander Thom describes the wilderness as an “intimidating and merciless antagonist” (403). How does this characterization reflect Mary and Ghetel’s experience? In what ways does nature support Mary and Ghetel?

How do Mary’s and Bettie’s responses to being kidnapped differ? How do they overlap? What do these differences and similarities reveal about their characters?

Thom demonstrates how society in North America around the time of the French and Indian War was hybridized. Analyze three minor characters through this lens. How do they represent different aspects of both white settler and Indigenous American culture?

Mary is a complex character with positive and negative attributes. How is she a complicated protagonist? Analyze specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Mary has strong erotic feelings for both her husband, Will, and Captain Wildcat. Compare and contrast these emotions. What do these emotions mean for Mary?

What is the symbolic significance of food in varying contexts for Mary, including at home, on her journey, and at the Harmons’ cabin?

Compare and contrast Mary and Ghetel. What qualities do they have in common? In what ways are they different?

How do the male characters consistently underestimate Mary? What does this suggest about the sexism in 18th-century North American society?