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How does Patricia McCormick’s use of poetry to tell this story make the realities of Lakshmi’s experience more vivid? Does the use of poetry rather than prose also obscure the realities of her experience in some ways? Use examples from the text to support your analysis.

Analyze the passages where Lakshmi examines her reflection in the mirror at the Happiness House. What does her reflection suggest about how Lakshmi has changed, and how she views herself now? Choose three specific quotations that describe how her reflection conveys the ways in which Lakshmi has changed and analyze the tone, diction, and syntax (sentence structure) of those quotations.

How does making friends with the others at the brothel (such as Shahanna, Anita, Pushpa, and Monica) benefit Lakshmi? In your opinion, which friend’s help is most instrumental in helping Lakshmi survive? Use 2-3 examples from the text to support your argument.

Analyze the different tactics, physical and otherwise, that Mumtaz uses to cut the girls off from the outside world. Which tactic is most effective at discouraging escape, and why? Use examples from the text to support your opinion.

Compare and contrast Shilpa and Mumtaz. Why do they each choose to engage in commercial sexual exploitation of children? Are they pure villains, or are they more complicated?

Analyze why the girls and women do not trust Americans, soldiers, and police officers. Consider why Lakshmi ultimately decides to give them a chance despite everyone else’s doubt.

Analyze why some characters work at the brothel “willingly” (such as Shilpa, Pushpa, or Monica, but not Mumtaz). Do they really work there “willingly”? If so, what are their reasons? How does their experience mirror or differ from the experience of those who were kidnapped, like Lakshmi?

Why does Ama stay with Lakshmi’s stepfather? Analyze her reasons as well as whether or not those reasons were justified.