Great Divide Study Guide
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Great Divide Table of Contents
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Discussion Questions
Great Divide
1. Did you have a favorite character in the play? What was it about the character that engaged you?
2. In the play, many characters weigh in on the “fracking” controversy in the town, about whether the town should try to keep the industry or not. Do you find yourself favoring one side of the argument or another?
3. Petra and Hovstad come into conflict over how to address the controversy in the town. How would you characterize their positions? Do you think that Petra is overly idealistic? Do you think that Hovstad is overly practical?
4. There are a number of women who speak up in the community, including not just Katherine and Petra, but also Rita, who speaks up for the company; Jo, who works on an oil rig; and Mrs. Lewis, who owns property and raises livestock. How would you characterize the position of women in this community? Where do they have power in the community? Where do the men have power over them?
5. The ending of the play leaves some questions unanswered. Do you think that Katherine will, or should, stay in the town? Should she go with Tom? What is the right thing for a person in her position to do?
