Olive, Again

Why do you think Strout chose to write interconnected stories rather than a novel? What does this narrative structure offer? How does it support the text’s underlying themes and meaning?

In “Helped,” what does Suzanne mean when she says that it is our duty to “bear the burden of the mystery with as much grace as we can?” (115). What mystery is she talking about, and why is it our duty? How does Suzanne’s approach to faith align with how the other characters approach human connection and loneliness?

How does Olive and Christopher’s relationship change over the course of the book? How does Olive’s perception of raising Christopher signal her growth?