TIPS for Reading Susan Power’s Grass Dancer

1) Be conscious of the structure: With a few exceptions the narrative reads in reverse chronological order. The year is at the beginning of the chapter. There are both third and first person narrators. If the narrator is first person, the name of the narrator will be also be indicated on top of the chapter.

2) If you have trouble following the narrative, keep a chart of the family trees.

3) Lots of spirits appear. Keep track of these the best you can.

4) Dances and songs pervade the book. Consider why these are important.

PROLOUGE:
1) Describe the mood of the prologue. What tragedy occurs?

CHAPTER 1: GRASS DANCERS
1) Consider a few reasons why the first chapter might be set at the inter-tribal pow wow. What seem to be the customs of the pow wow and its function in modern day society?

2) Analyze the personalities of the younger generation and the dynamics between them: Pumpkin, Charlene, Harley and Frank. Oh, and Chuck Norris.

3) Analyze the personalities of the older generation and the dynamics between them: Mercury, Lydia, Herod, Archie.

4) Charlene seems torn between two realities. What are these?

5) What forces leave Harley empty? What qualities of Pumpkin allow her to fill him. Also, what advice does she offer?

6) Mercury has a revelation. What is it?

7) In flashback, Charlene tries to heal Mercury’s knees. Does it work? Why?

8) So… did Mercury do it? Explain.

9) How do Pumpkin and her friends change into “the grass dancer who prepares the field for a powwow the old-time way, turning the grass over with his feet to flatten it down. Then there's the spiritual dancer, who wants to learn grass secrets by imitating it, moving his body with the wind." Break down the metaphor and the key scenes.

CHAPTER 2: CHRISTIANITY COMES TO THE SIOUX

1) How does Christianity come to the Sioux? Why is Chapter 2, which is about Harley, center on this metaphor?

2) Who is Ghost Horse to Harley? How does Harley try to connect with him? Why does he stop?

3) Are Frank and Harley connected to the present or the past? Explain.

CHAPTER 3: MEDECINE HOLE

1) Why does author Susan Power have Herod narrate this chapter in the first person? How does it deepen the story?

2) Describe the history and inter-dynamics between Herod, Alberta and Archie.

3) What does Archie win at bingo? What happens? How do the others respond?

4) Describe Archie’s vision. What is the “medicine hole?”

5) Herod encounters a ghost from his past. Who is she and how do they feel about each other.

6) Why, during their week-long affair, did Herod not want to be “forgiven” by Clara? For what?

7) What do the spirits convey to Herod?

CHAPTER 4: MOONWALK

1) Margaret Many Wounds is dying. How is she responding to this journey?

2) Describe Margaret’s two loves: which is passion, which is practical?

3) Contrast her twin daughter, Lydia and Evie.

4) What does Evie learn about her identity and how does she learn it? What life decisions have been made by false assumptions?

5) Why does Evie want her dying mother to watch the first moonwalk? And why is her mother so disinterested? Note Margaret’s one inquiry: “Are they going to dance? Are they going to put on a big show?”

6) Margaret chooses to depart from the living before the traditional Sioux corn soup, which she has requested from her daughter, has been prepared. There seem to be a couple reasons for this. Which can you find or infer?

7) What does Harley see on TV while his mother and aunt wash and dress his dead grandmother? What is the purpose of what Harley sees?