This story, written in the 1960s but set in the 1930s, prompts us to consider how Munro's memories of her own childhood might have influenced her writing. Do you perceive this narrative as a nostalgic depiction of a difficult childhood, or does it come across as authentic and realistic?

Investigate the impact of the Great Depression on Canadians. Based on your findings, how accurately do you think the narrator's family experiences and dynamics are portrayed?

The 1960s, the era in which this story was crafted, is often seen as a time marked by the questioning of societal conventions, a stark contrast to the 1950s. How might readers from the 1950s and 1960s have responded differently to this narrative?

The narrator observes that Nora is Catholic, and the father composes a song about Baptists. How significant do you believe religion is in the society depicted in the story? Provide your reasoning.

The narrator's father seems to have a more harmonious relationship with Nora than with his own wife. What do you think might have led to the deterioration of his marriage? Do you believe he would have been happier with someone like Nora? Why or why not?

Though the narrator provides many details, she does not explicitly describe the emotions of the characters, except for the mother. How do you think the father perceives his life and his relationships with his family? How do you think the narrator views her family and the recent changes they have experienced?