Discussion Questions for A Good Girl by Johnnie Bernhard

1. The first sentence in the novel reads, “I am lost.” Explain two reasons why this is true for Gracey Reiter.

2. Why does Gracey refer to her father as Henry? What does this imply?

3. Explain how birth order and sibling rivalry play in part in the relationship between Gracey, Tom, and Angela?

4. Is Mark supportive of Gracey’s decisions, whether he accompanies her or not?

5. Explain how assumed responsibilities have earned Gracey the title of A Good Girl?

6. Consider the character Viola, Gracey’s grandmother. Explain the importance of the maternal influence of all the characters in the novel. Refer to the family tree at the beginning of the novel, beginning with Aileen Walsh, followed by Patricia Walsh Mueller. Discuss the relationship between Helen and her daughter, Gracey.

7. Consider the paternal side of the Walsh-Mueller family, beginning with the character, Emil. Refer to the family tree at the beginning of the novel. Are there consistent patterns of behavior among the male characters? What influenced this behavior? War? Poverty? Heredity? Difficult birth?

8. Explore the character, Jonas. Was his death a drowning or a suicide?

9. Explain how the character Irma could be considered “comical relief” in the novel.

10. Explore the use of poetry, Bible scripture, and songs throughout the novel. How does it set the mood of a scene or emphasize the emotions of one of the characters? Consider the use of Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Hope is a thing with feathers” and Henry’s use of a wheelchair.

11. Explain the significance of the family Bible and the inherited handkerchief embroidered by Patricia Walsh Mueller.

12. Following Henry’s funeral, Mark tells his son the Indian legend of the good dog. Why is this significant?

13. Gracey’s confession to the priest is considered the climax of the novel. What significance does The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) play in this scene?

14. Why did Angela have a different point of view of her father than Tom did?

15. What is the significance of the immigrant story to the novel? The Irish immigrant? The German immigrant? Consider Therese’s wedding in Ireland when answering.

16. Gracey reads from Patricia Walsh Mueller’s Bible at the graveside scene with her siblings. The passage, often called the Love Chapter, First Corinthians 13:4, is an important passage to the healing of Tom, Gracey, and Angela. Explain this.

17. Forgiveness is one of the major themes of the novel. Give examples of how the characters were able to forgive each other and themselves, in particularly, Gracey, Tom, the ghost of Helen, and Henry.