The narrative of The Yearling is set in the 1870s within the untamed wilderness of inland Florida. The Baxter family has established their home in a pine clearing close to the "scrub"—a densely wooded area bordered by rivers, surrounded by marshes, and teeming with diverse wildlife. In this remote setting, cut off from their moonshiner neighbors and the broader world, the family lives a subsistence lifestyle, constantly battling threats from bears, panthers, wolves, rattlesnakes, and harsh weather conditions. Water is a precious resource that must be hauled from a distant sinkhole. Their survival hinges on hunting, which is essential for both sustenance and protecting their crops and livestock. A group discussion might best start by analyzing the environment where the story unfolds, exploring how the setting influences the plot's events.

1. At the end of chapter 1, Rawlings writes: "A mark was on [Jody] from the day's delight so that all his life, when April was a thin green and the flavor of rain was on his tongue, an old wound would throb and a nostalgia would fill him for something he could not quite remember." What is the implication of this statement? How does it foreshadow the book's eventual outcome?

2. Ma and Penny Baxter exhibit contrasting attitudes toward animals. How do their views differ, and what are the reasons behind these differences? How does this variance reflect their overall perspectives on life?

3. What draws Penny and Jody to the sinkhole?

4. Why does Jody feel resentment towards Oliver Hutto and the Forresters? Is this bitterness justified? How does this resentment influence his understanding of a friend's responsibilities?

5. The death of Fodder-wing leaves the Forresters and Jody deeply affected. Why is his death so profoundly impactful? How does Fodder-wing's name symbolize the loss of youthful innocence?

6. What significance do food, appetite, and hunger hold in shaping Jody's worldview?

7. Why do you think Ma Baxter harbors animosity towards Grandma Hutto? What reasons contribute to Ma Baxter's typically sharp and bitter demeanor?

8. Would it have been easier for Jody if Penny had never allowed him to keep a pet deer, rather than letting him raise Flag and then forcing him to kill the deer? Why or why not? Why does Penny suspect from the beginning that having a pet might not be feasible? How does this suspicion influence your view of him as a parent?

9. At the story's start, Jody constructs a flutter mill; at its conclusion, he builds another. How does he feel about creating and playing with these toys? What do Jody's reactions reveal about the changes in his character?

10. Follow Jody's emotions and reactions to hunting throughout the year. What events shape his perceptions of the various hunting experiences? How would you summarize Jody's overall attitude towards the interplay of beauty and cruelty in life?

11. How does Penny define stealing and cheating? In what ways do his interactions with his neighbors and animals reflect his beliefs? How do his attitudes connect to the idea of "the survival of the fittest" and the American inclination to justify humanity's control over nature?

12. Some critics argue that The Yearling imparts harmful values by implying that a boy must kill to become a man. Do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint? Why? Could Jody have made any other choice besides shooting his pet? How have other books about boys and their pets, such as Old Yeller by Fred Gipson or Rascal by Sterling North, addressed similar themes?

13. Many characters in The Yearling respond to conflict by fleeing. Penny has "run away"...