A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home

Why do Celeste and Joseph question Audubon’s artistic methods, and how does the painter justify his approach? What point is the author making about The Relationship Between Art and Nature?

Over the course of the novel, Celeste makes many friends, including Cornelius and Lafayette. Compare and contrast the thrush and the osprey’s personality traits and character arcs. How do they each play an important role in the novel by advancing the plot, developing a theme, or contributing to Celeste’s character development?

In what ways is Celeste shaped by her Search for Home? What qualities does she seek in a home, and what obstacles must she overcome to find her ideal nest?

Throughout the novel, birds serve as a motif of The Relationship Between Art and Nature. As the novel continues, how do the different birds reflect a shift in this relationship? How does Celeste act as a mediator between art and nature?

Throughout the novel, Cole uses imagery to describe the sights, sounds, and smells of Oakley Plantation and its surroundings. How does his use of imagery develop the novel’s setting, mood, and the theme of The Relationship Between Art and Nature?

How do berries symbolize friendship in Cole’s novel? How does this symbol contribute to important plot points and Celeste’s relationships with the supporting characters?

Trixie appears only near the beginning and end of the novel, but she plays an important role in the narrative. What specific traits and actions make the rat an antagonist to Celeste? How does Trixie impact the protagonist’s characterization and the novel’s themes?

Consider the various nests Celeste lives in over the course of the story. How do these nests serve as a motif for the theme of The Search for Home, move the plot forward, and reveal aspects of the protagonist’s characterization?