Essay Questions

Why is Caroline troubled about the reoccurrence of the birds?

Caroline has a bad experience with the bloody red birds. The first time Caroline sees these birds near their home, her mother contracts an outlandish illness and dies puzzlingly. Therefore, she fears and hopes that such birds will never return to their home. Unfortunately, the birds return after several years; this time round, they symbolize a disaster in waiting. After the birds occur, all the girls in the boarding school develop a baffling skin disease. Therefore, the reoccurrence of these bloody birds signifies a possible misfortune.

What is the biggest illogicality in the novel The Illness Lesson?

Samuel successfully opens a girls' boarding school, and he enrolls students. The main irony is that the school only has three teachers, Caroline, Samuel, and David. Out of these three teachers, only Caroline has an educational background. Therefore, it is ironic that the girls will get quality education, yet they do not have adequate qualified teachers.

Why is Caroline concerned about the strange disease that attacks the girls in the boarding school?

The eccentric skin disease that attacks the girls in school looks eerie to Caroline. First, Caroline discovers that the disease only affects females, and she is in danger of contracting it if no appropriate steps are taken in advance. Caroline is further concerned when her father and the doctor administer a wrong diagnosis when treating the girls.