Week 4 Questions

Question 1

Dona Lucilia’s immense admiration for her father was based not only on natural affection, but also on the public reputation he had gained through his many achievements. This developed in Lucilia the ability to admire uprightness and honour.

How would that have shown itself in the person she was to become – would she have determined to instill those qualities in her own children – what examples, other than her father could she have used?

Question 2

Though she would to some extent have experienced the struggles of every childhood, Dona Lucilia had a truly privileged background.  What are two, possibly quite different, outcomes that such a life could produce?

Question 3

Seances, and all occult games, entertainments and practices, such as fortune telling, were then, as they are still, serious sins against the First Commandment.  Those who participate show a spiritually unhealthy curiosity, seeking knowledge that is God’s alone. 

Why were/are people driven to such practices?  In that chilling scene, who or what was the voice that spoke? How was a totally unaware child, just absorbed in her own playful interests, completely disrupting the situation?  

Question 4

What were the hard lessons on the part of both Dona Lucilia and her father in the disappearing lamb incident?

Question 5

The many sterling qualities of Dr. Antonio are mostly the remembrances of Dona Lucilia.  However, the author, Msgr. Joao, allows the words of the journalist to convey some admirable qualities of her mother, Dona Gabriela. What were these distinguishing attributes?    

Who do you think the “little girl” was, and what was her loving declaration of the summation of her mother’s goodness?