The Winter People

Gertie and Fawn hide in closets. Sara and the sleeper hide in the caves. Are there other examples of hiding? What is the symbolic importance of hiding as it functions in the text?

Analyze how Vermont functions as a setting. How is it described? How does the author blend fact and fiction in her portrayal and use of this setting?

Examine how the novel depicts the experience of grief. How do various characters respond to grief? How are they similar or different in their responses?

Isolation is an important element in the novel, both in terms of physical isolation and emotional isolation. How are these various forms of isolation depicted and explored? How does isolation relate to some of the wider thematic and symbolic concerns in the text?

Compare and contrast “the sleepers” with vampires, zombies, ghosts, and Frankenstein’s creation. How do “sleepers” draw upon, or diverge from, these other undead representations?

The novel contains multiple perspectives. How does this narrative structure influence the plot, characterization, or illumination of key themes and ideas?

Analyze the marital dynamics in the novel. How is marriage depicted? In what ways is Gary and Katherine’s relationship similar or different from Sara and Martin’s relationship?

Examine the role of local superstitions in the text. What sort of superstitious beliefs do the townspeople hold, in both the past and present storylines? How does the novel explore the fine lines between superstitions and real-world phenomena?