2. Besides the "unlikely hero" (if Peggy is understood to be one), what if anything here recalls the other fantasies we've read?

3. What, if anything, is gained by introducing Peggy before the Miller family?

4. How does Oldpappy compare to other sympathizers of the misunderstood character that we've encountered like Gandalf or Kero's grandmother?

5. How does Peggy's ability to see the future work in terms of the characters' (most notably Alvin Maker's) freedom to choose their own paths?

6. Where does Peggy seem to fit in terms of an overarching mythology of the story?

7. Some have found Lackey's skipping large segments of her hero's history unfortunate for her plot. Does the same apply to Card's omitting six years of his story of Alvin Jr.? Explain.

8. What characteristics of Philadelphia Thrower make him a complex character? What is the import of his vision?

9. Faith Miller seems to have unusual powers also. Where is this indicated? Does the author distinguish female and male power by this point in our reading?

10. The book makes use of opposition in many places. Find some of these and consider their significance.

11. Alvin Miller seems both good and evil. Where do we see examples of each?