My Louisiana Sky

As a story set in the deep South in the late 1950s, race is inarguably a major part of everyday life for the people of Saitter. How does this novel explore themes of race? Is race sufficiently addressed?

Discuss the importance of family and generational legacies as explored in My Louisiana Sky. How does the way that Tiger has been raised differ from the way that her parents were raised? How does this affect the characters’ relationships?

Compare and contrast the characters of Granny and Magnolia. How do their similarities and differences impact their roles in the story?

Drawing from real-world examples, discuss the historical relevance and accuracy of this novel. How does the location and period setting impact the story as a whole?

Work and labor play a large role in this novel. Discuss how the novel explores the value of work, especially as it involves work-related attitudes affecting the characters’ relationships with each other. Use at least three examples from the novel to develop your answer.

Choose three scenes in the novel that feature nature imagery, and discuss what nature symbolizes in each scene. Does it always symbolize the same thing?

Holt grew up in a small town not unlike Saitter. Do some biographical research into the author’s life, and discuss the overlaps between Holt’s life and Tiger’s and why they are significant.

From a psychological standpoint, discuss how Tiger’s upbringing may influence her personal development. For example, you might examine the impact of Tiger’s working-class background, or you might examine the effects of how Tiger feels she must take care of her parents instead of her parents caring for her.