readers-guide-vigil

Gina Cox

Readers Guide

VIGIL: You Never Know Who’s Watching You is the story of one woman’s journey through a life filled with extremes and her personal transformation. This guide is intended to enhance your group’s reading and understanding of the book. For more about VIGIL, the author and the publisher, visit Alight at: www.myalight.com.

1. In Vigil, Tora struggles with love, faith and redemption as she is faced with tragedy. What do you think is the significance of the priest and Confession in the story?

2. Is Tora right or wrong for taking the law into her hands? Why?

3. What are some non-violent ways to deal with problems and societal ills?

4. Some people contend a person is a product of his or her environment. Is Tora Dearborn a product of her environment, or her circumstances? Is environment crucial to making the right decisions?

5. What are your views about the Second Amendment to the Constitution? Do you believe citizens of the United States have the right to bear arms? Why, or why not?

6. What are some ways a community can work to improve itself? Do you see any solutions to the drugs and crime plaguing economically-disadvantaged communities?

7. Is anger strictly a negative emotion, or does anger have to capacity to produce positive results? Are there positive ways to channel anger? If so, what could they be?

8. There is a black, lacquer box that Tora has difficulty facing. Why? How is the box integral to the action and outcome of the story?

9. Tora assumes the name of her deceased, childhood friend and lives her identify. Why?

10. What is the symbolism of the cemetery across from Betty Merchant’s house? How does it correlate to the Halifax grave site and Tora’s visit late in the story?

11. The concepts of war and victory are prominent in VIGIL. Do these concepts focus solely on taking life? Or, do they attempt to explain human nature and the art of dealing with people?

12. In VIGIL, the phrase: Love builds and love destroys is stated. How is Tora transformed when she becomes involved with Daryl? Why is it so hard for her to let go and be loved?

13. If you could choose an alternate ending for VIGIL, what would it be?

14. What do you believe is the main point of the book? What struck you most about VIGIL?

15. Finally, should forgiveness be absolute? Or must it come with its own conditions?

Gina C. has completed over 300 semester hours of psychology and behavioral science-related subjects including: Educational Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Multiple Intelligences and Theoretical Foundations. She has additional training in: Violence Prevention, Identifying Child Abuse and Maltreatment, Health Education and ESL Methodologies. She currently teaches Theater Arts and is working on her second novel.

VIGIL: You Never Know Who's Watching You. Published by Alight.

ISBN: 978-09652540-9-0. Trade Paperback. 408 Pages. Fiction.