Strange Sally Diamond

Explain the essence of Thomas’s moral ambiguity. Identify two ways in which he helped Sally, and two ways in which he hindered her development. How does Nugent create Thomas’s ongoing presence in the novel even after his death?

What factors motivate Sally to embrace change in her life, and how do certain secondary characters influence Sally’s character development in both positive and negative ways?

Choose two characters in the novel and compare and contrast the various ways in which their respective traumas have influenced the course of their adult lives.

Analyze the various ways in which Nugent employs foreshadowing and symbolism to illustrate the cyclical nature of abuse. Use at least three examples from the text to support your analysis.

What causes Peter to shift from being Conor’s victim to becoming a willing student of his father’s crimes and abuses? Analyze and discuss at least two key turning points.

Sally’s character begins with progress and ends with her decision to revert to her problematic behaviors. What does this shift reveal about the deeper nature of trauma, and what message is Nugent communicating through Sally’s tumultuous inner journey?

Explain the underlying reasons for Lindy’s eventual acquiescence to Peter’s control. What does this process reveal about the relationship that sometimes develops between captor and captive?

What conflicts prevent Mark and Sally from developing a closer relationship? Cite examples from the text to support your explanation.