Charming+Billy+5W

Group Members:
Caitlynn C. Brenna B. Maisy C.
 * Malin T.*
 * Suzanne H.


 * Community Book Discussion Agenda:**
 * **Introductions which will be conducted by the facilitator (brief)**


 * **Plot based questions**
 * In which ways would things have been different if Dennis had told billy the truth?
 * Did Billy truly love Maeve, or was she simply a consolation?
 * What would have the story been like if it was told from Dennis' point of view?
 * Does Maeve know about Eva before Billy's death?


 * **Characters and Narration**
 * Is Eva a bad person for what she did or was she just doing what she felt was right for her?
 * Was Billy's alcoholism caused by his suffering or was it inevitable?
 * Did Maeve truly know about Billy's suffering?
 * Inevitably, should Dennis be partially blamed for Billy's alcoholism and eventual death because of the lie that he told?
 * Is there any significance to the fact the Dennis was the one that lied to Biily?


 * **Setting of the novel**
 * Do the settings of America vs. Ireland symbolize anything? If so, what?
 * Is there any symbolism in the fact that much of the present of the story takes place in a bar?
 * How is the Bar setting supposed to be ironic?


 * **Themes and Symbols**
 * Should Dennis have lied?
 * Does it matter that Dennis had good intentions in his lie?
 * Was Billy's family right in defending Billy's Alcoholism?
 * Was billy an alcoholic because of Eva or was Eva just an excuse to be an alcoholic?


 * **Style of Writing**
 * How the flashbacks and forwards contribute to the story?
 * Does the amount of characters in the story make it harder to follow?
 * What is the purpose of switching narrators partway through the story?
 * Could Alice McDermott have written the story from Eva or Dennis' point of view? What do you think would be different if it was in there point of view.. or even Billy's?


 * **Secondary Materials**
 * **http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment/july-dec98/mcdermott_11-20.html**
 * This is a discussion with the author of __Charming Billy__, Alice McDermott, after receiving an award for her work
 * http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31756-2003Aug22.html
 * This is another interview with Alice McDermott. They discuss __Charming Billy__ as well as a few other works that McDermott has done. It is a good way to compare and contrast the similarities of McDermott's books.
 * http://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/11/books/oh-where-have-you-been.html?pagewanted=1
 * This is a New York Times article about Charming Billy.
 * http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/038533334X/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books
 * This site has different reviews about Charming Billy.
 * http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides_C/charming_billy1.asp
 * This site has some critical comments written by different people and sources.
 * **Reflection Questions**
 * What ultimately caused the death of Billy? Was it the betrayal, or the sudden knowledge of the lie he had been living for 30 years?
 * After reflecting on all of his actions, should Dennis be considered a friend or foe to Billy? Why or why not?
 * Why would she decide to start this book with his death and introducing so many characters?
 * Did Dennis ever feel bad about lying to his best friend?
 * Why do they talk so much about Eva in front of Maeve so much? Wouldn't that be awkward for her? Seeing as how her husband just died and the family and friends constantly talk about how much he loved her..


 * Conclusion**
 * Any closing statements group members would like to make.
 * Thank the community member for coming in.
 * Pass out feedback forms.