THE FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER - QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

 

 

1.     Daunis is grieving at the beginning of the book, both the loss of her uncle and her grandmother's illness. How does Daunis let her grief and her guilt guide her decisions?

2.     Do you think Daunis’ decision to stay home and attend college locally is a wise one

 3. Why does Lily want to break up with Travis? What happens to Lily? 

4.     What do you think of Daunis’ decision to become the FBI’s confidential informant? If you were Daunis would you do the same?

 5. What do you think of Jamie as a character? Discuss Jamie and Daunis’ relationship.

6.     How does Daunis find her uncle’s last journal?  Who is the “light bulb” in his journal represents?

7.     Some of the most powerful scenes in the book occur in moments of ceremony and ritual. Discuss the significance of this. 

8.     How does Daunis learn who to trust? Do you think there are times where her trust is misplaced? Discuss her motivations.

9.     What does Mike say he will do if Daunis does not cook meth for them? If you were Daunis what would you do?

10. Do you like the way Jamie and Daunis’ relationship unfolded and how it ended?

11. Can you guess before the reveal that Levi is a part of the murders and the drug ring? What do you think about his sibling relationship with Daunis?

12. Who appears to be the leader in the drug ring?  Levi and Stormy are gonna sit in jail, while Mike gets away with everything. Do you think it’s fair?

13. Aunt Teddie talks about Blanket Parties as a form of tribal women’s justice because the justice system often fails them. Do you agree with this practice? Do you think Daunis went ahead with the Blanket Party? 

14. There was also the ceremony that Daunis is invited to at the end of the book for women who have been assaulted, and she’s saddened to learn that many of the women she loves have long been a part of this group. How did this part make you feel?

15. The end of the book finds Daunis in a different place, pursuing a different future than she first envisioned. Why do you think she decided to shift her focus? What do you think about her new path?