Genesis/Exodus
What did Jeanette's mother mean when she said the print shop owners "dealt in unnatural passions."? Why was it ironic?
She disapproved of them being gay. It was ironic because in the “old flames” section of her book she has a picture of “pretty woman holding a cat” who she claimed to be another old flames sister. The picture was gone the next time Jeanette looked in the book.
What did the neighbors do to upset Jeanette's mother and Mrs. White? What did Jeanette's mother do because of it?
They were fornicating on a Sunday and Jeanette's mother went into the backyard and read scripture to them.
Who is Jeanette's new love interest post exorcism?
Katy
What was Jeanette's final straw before deciding to leave the church?
Jeanette was carelessly caught in bed with Katy. When her mother heard of the news, she contacted the pastor who in response tries to limit Jeanette's role in the church. Jeanette refuses to repent her sins and quits the church.
How did Jeanette being home schooled by her mother hold her back? Why was Jeanette eventually allowed to go to school?
Her mother taught her primarily about the bible, including many things she made up about it. She was finally allowed to go to school because she a letter was sent stating she had to go to school, and that her mother could be arrested if she did not go.
What are the similarities between the story of the prince searching for the perfect wife and Jeanette disagreeing with the sermon about perfection?
The sermon was about perfection truly only being in heaven but also "the condition of the man before the fall". The prince fails to find the perfect woman for three years, and once he does he realizes that there are a multitude of characteristics that build perfection.
Upon being exploited by the church, who does Jeanette leave with? How does Jeanette feel about her encounter with this character?
Miss. Jewsbury; Jeanette hated the experience, but could not stop.
How did the pastor and the church explain the reasoning for Jeanette's homosexuality?
The pastor and the church decide that Jeanette has experienced sexual confusion because her many church responsibilities made her believe that she belonged in a man's role. The pastor notes that Saint Paul believed women who have a limited role in the church.
What is the significance of Jeanette's mother holding her in the orphanage for seven days and seven nights?
Jeanette's mother was very religious, and this is likely a reference to Job 2:13 "Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was." There are several other references to the number 7 throughout the bible.
How does Jeanette come across love? How did her concerns about men and love conflict with her new love interest?
Jeanette was considered that all men were pigs and after consulting with her aunt and mother she decides she will wait for love to come to her. Then she meets Melanie when out with her mother whom she is able to learn more about through her new job.
Jeanette confides in her mother about her feelings for Melanie, how does her mother respond? What does this say about her character?
Her mother gives no response to her daughter and immediately turns to the church for guidance. This demonstrates the power the church and religion has over her and the lack of mothership she shows to her daughter.
What job was Jeanette doing when she discovered that Elsie was dead?
Ice cream truck driver
Elise read Jeanette a poem that contained the lines: "All things fall and are built againAnd those that build them are gay [happy]." How was this quote important to Jeanette?
-It was encouragement for Jeanette and she was able to relate to it. Elise and her words of wisdom really helped Jeanette during her recovery in the hospital and restored her confidence.
What did Jeanette do that jumpstarted her relationship with Melanie?
Jeanette invited Melanie to her church where she decided to be saved because she knew she needed Jesus. This lead to Jeanette being allowed to visit Melanie frequently.
Upon seeing the orange “demon” during her confinement, Jeanette realizes that having a demon is not necessarily a bad thing, but that they just make a person different. How does this help her come to terms with her sexuality?
Realizing that her demon is not bad, but is simply just what sets her apart from other people, Jeanette becomes more comfortable with her sexuality. She falsely repents her sins because she understands that she is not bad, just different. This false repentance is the beginning of Jeanette's successful conquest over her internal territory. She refuses to yield to the church's authority over her internal sense of self.
How do you think Winnet Stonejar relates to Jeanette?
Both adopted, both received special abilities by the people they were adopted by. Jeanette received the power of evangelism and salvation, while Winnet had magic abilities, both thrown out by the people who adopted them,but were never really able to get away.
Jeanette appears to be an outcast in school. How does this foreshadow her future life?
In school, Jeanette would incorporate God and the bible into all of her assignments and she gave her classmates nightmares by telling the about the horrors of hell. Jeanette wound up being picked on and avoided by her classmates because of this. Jeanette continues to be an outcast as she battles with her sexuality. As she comes to terms with her sexuality she continues to be "picked on and avoided" by her church.
What was suspicious about Jeanette's mothers stomach ulcer?
Jeanette's mother explained that she spent the night with Pierre and was feeling odd afterwards. She went to the doctor after a few days and explained that she was in love, and was prescribed pills to take as well as to stick to certain diet. When Jeanette questioned if Pierre is her father her mother interrupted her and did not answer her question. Jeanette's mother concluded with telling her to never let anyone touch her "down there."
How does Jeanette’s relationship differ from her relationship with Melanie?
Melanie and Jeanette started off as friends, and then their relationship turned physical. Jeanette had no idea that her interaction with Melanie meant that she was lesbian, that it was considered wrong, or that they were experiencing “unnatural passions”. By the time that she develops a relationship with Katy, she is fully aware of what she is doing. She knows her church is against homosexuality, but she has accepted it as part of her identity. She has come to terms with her lesbianism and does not think that it is wrong.
Where do Jeanette and her mother stand at the end of the book. How has their relationship changed?
The small reconciliation between mother and daughter. To some extent, Jeanette and her mother have bridged their gap, but not entirely. Jeanette's mother has changed and now sees that oranges are not the only fruit.