Alice Adams

1. What specific things does Virgil Adams refuse to change, and what reasons does he give for his refusal?

2. Why does Adams get more upset about his wife's suggestions than the nurse's medical advice, even though both are trying to help him?

3. How does Alice's approach to influencing her father differ from her mother's direct confrontation?

4. Why might Alice's 'velvet hammer' technique be more effective than her mother's emotional demands?

5. What specific reactions does Alice get to her walking stick, and how does each one affect her confidence?

6. Why do the Lamb women's reactions hurt Alice more than the children's teasing or Mrs. Dowling's stares?

7. What does Adams try to explain to Alice about his job at Lamb and Company, and how does his family see it differently?

8. Why does Adams feel like a failure even though his employers clearly value him as their 'oldest stand-by'?

9. Why does Alice spend hours gathering violets instead of simply buying flowers or going without them?

10. How does Alice's attempt to make their home more refined (replacing the dinner bell with gongs) actually create more problems?

11. What specific choices does Alice make to try to fit in at the Palmer party, and how do these backfire?

12. Why does Alice's desperate energy make others uncomfortable, even though she's trying so hard to be likable?

13. What specific actions does Alice take to hide the fact that she's been abandoned at the dance?

14. Why has Alice become so skilled at performing like she has an escort when she doesn't?

15. What specific strategies does Alice use to avoid looking like a wallflower, and how does each one backfire?