The Invention of Wings

A significant motif in this novel explores the notion that flight equates with freedom from bondage. What does that motif reveal about the meaning of this novel? Explain the meaning of the flight motif in terms of both Sarah and Handful’s lives.

Handful maintains her strong, forthright nature throughout the novel despite countless tragedies. How does Handful manage to remain so strong? Explain Handful’s character in terms of significant life events. Be sure to include events from her friendship with Sarah as well as her relationship with her mother.

Handful has a strong relationship with her mother. Sarah has a difficult and distant relationship with her mother. How do Handful and Sarah’s relationships with their mothers influence their characters as adult women? Compare and contrast each woman’s character in terms what each mother teaches her daughter.

Sarah loses her voice as a child when she witnesses a slave whipping. How does she regain her voice? What aspects of her character enable her to fight the societal repression of her voice? How does she overcome that repression?

How are Sarah’s relationship with Nina and Handful’s relationship with Sky similar and different? Would any of these women be the same without her sister? How do each pair of sisters help and support each other? What effects does having a sister have upon each woman’s life?

Kidd depicts the evils of slavery in excruciating detail in this novel. Why does she choose to tell her story in this manner? What effect does it have upon the reader? Explain in terms of the consequences directly related to slavery, such as the separation of slave families or the repression of slave voices through illiteracy.

The powerful friendship between Sarah and Handful forms a significant portion of the novel and lends the novel an important theme. How does the power of friendship save each woman? Explain.

How do Mauma, Handful, and Sky each respond to the repression of their identities and the dehumanizing experience of slavery? Explain the theme of rebellion in terms of how each woman is able to express her experience, or not. How does each woman rebel and subvert the system?