Essay Questions

What is the foremost dilemma that Agnes faces in her marriage?

Agnes and Earl are grappling with infertility which has left them childless for six years. Agnes discloses, "Getting pregnant, in my case, would involve looking for a man with whom I could cheat on Earl (then what--explaining to him a bastard would still be better than a barren marriage?), or divorcing him for a man who can sow and appeal better. " Being a realist, Agnes does not feel she has to be a mother by all means. She is content with their status. Their childlessness does not affect the love she and Earl share.

How does Agnes deal with the stigma of barrenness?

Agnes is conscious that members of Earl's family mock her for her childlessness behind her back. Agnes admits, "It may be insensitive of them to call a childless woman Mother Goose, but I am far from being a sensitive or sentimental woman." Agnes' character helps her to cope with childlessness. If she were emotional, the nickname would have broken her emotionally. She focuses on her love instead of dwelling on her childlessness, which would result in depression.

Why does Agnes long for Fabienne’s ghost?

Agnes believes that Fabienne's ghost would be different from other ghosts. Agnes imagines, "If dead people had no choice but to become ghosts, Fabienne's ghost would only scoff at the usual tricks that other ghosts take pride in. Her ghost would do something entirely different." Agnes visualizes Fabienne's ghost encouraging her to write like they used to write when they were little girls. The demise of Fabienne inspires the plot in Agnes' story.