Questions for Discussion - The Future She Left Behind
By Marin Thomas
- As a teenage girl Katelyn couldn’t wait to escape the small town of Little Springs, Texas, and only later in life does she realize that the one place she thought would stifle her creativity actually nurtured it. Did you have similar thoughts when you were Katelyn’s age? Later in life, did you end up back home or have you made a new home somewhere else? How does where a person is from impact where he or she will go in life?
- Katelyn’s relationship with her mother-in-law is trying, to say the least. How would you characterize their feelings toward each other? Use specific examples from the book to illustrate your points. How does their relationship change throughout the story? Do you have a good relationship with your mother-in-law (if you have one)? If not, what do the two of you disagree about, and how do you handle those disagreements?
- Katelyn doesn’t regret choosing to be a stay-at-home mom and raise her children, but her divorce does wake her up to the realization that she’s lost part of her identity and that she set aside her aspirations when she decided to put her family first. Many women feel the same way when they marry and have children. Have you ever forgotten what you believed in? What you stood for? What was important to you? If so, how did you find your way back? What are some ways a wife and mother can put herself first without feeling guilty?
- Growing up, Katelyn watched her mother and father struggle financially and she knew she wanted a different lifestyle for herself. But what does “having it all” mean? Is it different for each woman? And what kind of a price does it come with? What price did Katelyn pay for having it all?
- Katelyn’s impending divorce makes her face painful truths about herself and her marriage. We’ve all made decisions we regretted, but have you ever suffered through the consequences or stuck by your decision even when you knew doing so would make you unhappy?
- Birdie admits that she was jealous of Katelyn’s artistic talent, because her sketches reminded Birdie of her own lost dreams. Do you believe it’s possible for a mother to be both proud and jealous of her daughter?
- Getting involved with an old flame can be exciting and scary at the same time. What are some of Katelyn’s biggest concerns about getting involved with Jackson again? Why is Jackson leery of getting serious with Katelyn? Is he nervous about getting his heart broken a second time? Are you satisfied with where their relationship stands by the end of the book?
- If Katelyn had stayed behind in Little Springs and continued dating Jackson, do you believe his drinking would have sabotaged their relationship? Do you think that by the end of the book Katelyn has enough confidence in herself and her dreams to continue pursuing her artistic passion? Or do you think that she will revert to her old ways? Use specific examples from the book to illustrate your points.
- It’s not uncommon for a woman to change her hairstyle after going through a major life change such as a divorce or the death of a loved one. What do you think made Katelyn decide to finally change her hair? Have you ever made a drastic change to your appearance and if so, what was it? Did it make you feel better? More empowered? Or did you regret it?
- Katelyn made a lot of excuses for not drawing while she was married and raising her kids. What kinds of excuses have you made for not doing what you love to do? What steps could you take to foster your talents or reach your goals?
- The train is an important symbol in Katelyn’s life. When she stands still and watches the fast-moving locomotive blow past her, it represents the powerful energy that drives her hectic world. What are some other things the train symbolizes to Katelyn aside from her life’s journey? What object best represents the path your life is taking?
- Sadie’s beauty salon, like many salons, is more than just a place to get your hair done. It’s an important place of social interaction for the Little Springs Ladies’ Society. What’s the biggest lesson Shirley learns from the matrons of Little Springs? Do you believe that Shirley has truly changed and grown over the course of the book or do you think that she will revert to her old ways?