Discussion Questions – The Evening Spider
- In what ways do you think Abby’s and Frances’s experiences of early motherhood mirror each other? How do they differ?
- Do you think Abby’s house is really haunted?
- Why do you think Frances is so fascinated with the Mary Stannard murder trial?
- Do you think Frances is truly unstable? Do you think she might have fared better in contemporary times—in general and as a mother?
- To what extent do you think societal expectations of mothers—particularly new mothers—have changed since Frances’ era? Which of those expectations have remained the same?