The Optimist's Daughter

Major Bullock is depicted as drunk and overtly worried about Fay at the funeral. Describe his character and his relationship to the people around him. What do you think Welty’s intention is in having him show his sympathy toward Fay? What is the reaction of his wife and others around him during the wake? Why does he fabricate the details of the Judge’s stories?

Welty includes elements of contrast to create tension in the story. The main contrast in characters is between Fay and Laurel. Choose three examples of the contrasts she depicts between characters and explain how they create tension.

The novel begins with the three principal characters in the ophthalmologist’s office. Explain how the opening scenes in the examination room set up the characterization for each of the characters. In what ways do they handle the situation differently from each other? Use specific examples from the book to support your conclusions.

Describe the character of Missouri. How does her presence in the novel establish another layer to the social dynamic of the town? Use specific moments in the text that show Missouri’s relationship to other characters and detail how they create an additional dynamic for the book.

Birds appear frequently in the book. In addition to the chimney swift, what other birds appear? Given the context in which each of the various birds is described, explain how Welty uses them for different symbolic meanings that enhance the scenes. 

Detail the various moments in which the guests at the wake exaggerate their memories of the Judge. How and why does Laurel respond the way she does? How does her reaction inform the theme regarding her views of her past and her memories of her father?

In the flashback scenes of Becky’s death, how does Laurel portray her mother, and her mother’s response to both her illness and her husband? How does Judge McKelva react to his wife’s suffering, and how, in your opinion, does his reaction form the nature of his character? Use specific references from the text in your answers.

Describe what happens in the final confrontation between Fay and Laurel over the breadboard. What is the significance of the breadboard, and what does it symbolize? What has Laurel learned by the end of this scene?