Trespasses

What factors divide Cushla and Michael and complicate their relationship, and why do they remain together despite these complications? How does Cushla’s refusal to reciprocate Michael’s declarations of love connect to the theme of The Complexities of Relationships in a Divided Society? Why is Victor confident that Michael knew her true feelings despite this?

Familial pressures have a significant influence on Cushla’s life. Compare and contrast Gina and Eamonn’s personalities and character arcs. How do Cushla’s mother and brother each play an important role in the novel by advancing the plot, developing a theme, or contributing to Cushla’s character development?

Although the novel is set during the Troubles, the primary conflict is the one raging within Cushla, not the sectarian conflict of the setting. How does this impact the overall meaning of the novel? Which ethical dilemmas does Cushla face, and to what extent are they resolved by the end of the novel?

How do Seamie McGeown’s wounds invoke religious symbolism? How do his injuries connect to the broader religious conflict of the Troubles?

Consider the dynamic character of Tommy McGeown. What leads him to murder Michael? Connect Tommy’s character arc to the novel’s historical setting and the theme of The Pervasiveness of Violence. What message does the novel offer regarding violence?

What does gorse represent, and where does this plant appear throughout the novel? Why does this symbol resonate so deeply with Cushla?

Most of the novel takes place in a small town near Belfast. How does this setting influence the novel’s scope and structure? How does the Lavery family shape the town, and how are they shaped by it in return? Ultimately, why must Cushla and her family leave their home?

How does the novel utilize the news to develop the theme of The Pervasiveness of Violence? How does this motif contribute to the mood and plot?