In The Bean Trees, Kingsolver spotlights a young woman named Taylor Greer, who gains a strong social conscience through her interactions with an abandoned child and two Guatemalan refugees.

1. How are mothers depicted in The Bean Trees: consistently positive, or sometimes negative? Compare and contrast the different mother-daughter relationships in the novel: Taylor and her mother, Taylor and Turtle, Lou Ann and her mother, Esperanza and Ismene. In what ways does Mattie serve as a mother figure? What kind of mother is Lou Ann?

2. Compare and contrast the relationship dynamics of Estevan and Esperanza with those of Virgie Mae Parsons and Edna Poppy. How do these individuals support each other? What does the "caretaker" in each pair gain from their relationship?

3. Discuss Turtle's connection to plants and gardening. What is the significance of this in the novel? How does it illustrate her character development as the story unfolds?

4. Taylor's two major actions at the novel's climax (adopting Turtle and transporting Estevan and Esperanza to Oklahoma) are illegal. Discuss Taylor's moral decision-making process and the ethical implications of her actions.

5. Are the various social issues raised in the novel addressed fairly? Does Kingsolver present both sides of these issues?

6. What does the character of Cynthia, the social worker handling Turtle's case, represent? Is she a flat or well-rounded character?