In the final chapters of the novel, Carol finds herself living in Washington, surrounded by suffragists. Investigate the women's suffrage movement from 1915 to 1920 and connect the movement's political aspirations to the experiences Lewis portrays in the novel.

How remote was Gopher Prairie? Determine the distance from Minneapolis to Sauk Centre, the town that inspired Gopher Prairie, and research how long a train journey would have taken over that distance during the early 1900s.

Explore women's fashion from the period in which the novel is set. Identify examples of typical clothing and those considered artistic and elaborate, similar to what Erik Valborg might have designed.

What type of gas was used against American troops during World War I? Analyze its potential effects on someone like Raymie Wutherspoon, who continued to suffer from its impact after returning home from the war.

For traveling through the countryside, Dr. Will Kennicott switches between his Ford motor car and a horse-drawn carriage. Investigate the speed and limitations of both transportation methods.

Do you believe the story would conclude the same way today, given how common divorce has become? Why or why not?

Speak with a member of a local literary club to gather their opinion on the Thanatopsis Society's attempt to cover all of English literature in one afternoon. What would be a more practical time frame for such an endeavor?

The "Watch Gopher Prairie Grow" campaign, introduced late in the novel, appears to achieve minimal success. Investigate the slogan your town or city is currently using to promote civic pride and evaluate its effectiveness.