Book Club Discussion Question 10: Blessings

**Sara Noel** · 04-21-2004, 12:03 PM

10. The notion of individuality figures prominently into Blessings, and brings up questions about the individual's place in the community, and the advantages and disadvantages of social conformity. Give some examples of scenes or situations from the book where the beliefs of an individual are challenged by the value system of a community. The situation which comes to the forefront of this issue is Skip's ultimate decision to return Faith to her birth-mother, so she can be raised in a more traditional family. Do you agree with Skip's decision? Were you satisfied with this conclusion? If not, how would you have liked to see it end?

**paelthom** · 04-21-2004, 12:44 PM

I was not happy with Skip returning the baby but then Skip had no choice. The mother never did show to me that she wanted the baby back or that she loved her. I think her parents pushed the issue with her. I wanted Skip and Jennifer to get together and raise Faith. Unrealistic but never the less, what I wanted. I think everyone in Skip's past would have expected him to take the baby and run, but he showed he was better than their opinions of him. He'd grown into someone he could be proud of.

**Sara Noel** · 04-21-2004, 08:35 PM

Well, ya got Lydia with Frank. Then Lydia marrying Benny. Then Sunny dying.

Then you have Meredith without a child.

The two teens with their careless interlude and dumping the baby.

I think each relationship is non-traditional.

I totally don't agree with Skip's decision. I also was rooting for Skip and Jennifer.

For some reason I thought the money meant Skip would fight for Faith and there'd be a different ending.

**AmyMCGS** · 05-01-2004, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by smnoel
. Give some examples of scenes or situations from the book where the beliefs of an individual are challenged by the value system of a community. The situation which comes to the forefront of this issue is Skip's ultimate decision to return Faith to her birth-mother, so she can be raised in a more traditional family. Do you agree with Skip's decision? Were you satisfied with this conclusion? If not, how would you have liked to see it end?

NO, I was very unhappy with the ending. I think Skip just had been beaten down so many times in life that he had no more fight left in him. I think he should have fought for custody- after all, the mother didn't seem to have too much interest in the baby. At the very least, I wanted him to take her up on her offer of some visits, not just let her go quietly.

Sunny's suicide... his being gay... his father's clear embarrassment over not having a more "manly" son.... that whole story line obviously reflected the society's values.