38 pages • 1 hour read
Kiran Millwood HargraveThe Mercies
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Summary
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Character Analysis
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Essay Topics
In The Mercies, prejudice informs the accusations of witchcraft. Identify at least two characters who are judged for being different. How does prejudice impact them? What is Hargrave’s message about society’s impulse towards prejudice?
What role(s) does the character of Kristen play in this narrative? What does she symbolize, and how does Hargrave use this character to develop her themes? Cite textual evidence in your response.
Though this is a piece of historical fiction, do Hargrave’s themes resonate in contemporary life? How so?
In what way(s) does the novel present men as antagonists? What is Hargrave’s message about male dominance and power?
What are the reasons for the deterioration of Maren’s family? Do you think this disintegration could have been avoided? Explain your reasoning.
How does religion create both unity and divisiveness in this novel? What does this imply about society’s reliance on religion?
Do you think the witch hunt that occurs in Part 3 of The Mercies could happen in today’s world? Explain your reasoning.
In a novel full of conflict, how does Hargrave express hope? Select three examples from the novel. What do these moments imply about the human condition?
