Praisesong For The Widow

In what ways does Marshall use Avey’s body to represent cultural expression or memory? What does this mean for the overall message of the text?

The novel often moves back and forth through time to convey the past’s influence upon the present. Why is a novel an apt vehicle to explore this theme? What limits does the form impose upon exploring past events?

Consider the novel’s title. What is the meaning behind a praisesong, and why is it an appropriate metaphor for Avey’s journey?

Who would you consider to be Avey’s foil and why? How is this accomplished?

Jerome’s opinions on African Americans later in his life reflect many things about his character and position in society. What are they? Why does Marshall chose to portray Jerome this way? What does Jerome represent about American values when he speaks this way about his own race?

Early in their marriage, Avey and Jerome possessed a spiritual connection to their culture through music and poetry; this connection disappears as they achieve material success. What message does this achieve, and why did Marshall chose to convey it? How else is this message conveyed throughout the novel? Why do you think the novel centers cultural expression around art?

Consider the four sections of the novel: “Runagate,” “Sleeper’s Wake,” “Lavé Tête,” and “The Beg Pardon.” How does each section represent Avey’s spiritual and physical journey? How do they collectively convey the thematic and narrative elements of the novel?

Describe the roles black women are expected to fulfill in the 1970s, according to the novel. How do the women subscribe to these conventions and how do they subvert them? What restrictions are imposed upon them that are not imposed upon white women? How do the characters respond to these restrictions?