Epilogue and Afterword

Do you think that the story of John and Polly Wilson is important for Canadians to know? Why or why not?

Book Two, Chapters XLVI-XLVII

Respond to the following statement from page 207: 
     “Polly Wilson and the children were not the only victims.”

Book Two, Chapter XLV

Do you think that John taking the stand would have helped or hurt his defense? Why?

Book Two, Chapters XLIII-XLIV

What do you think of Arthur Ellis’ characterization of himself as “but one cog in the machinery of justice” (195)?

Book Two, Chapter XLII

What do you think of Jessie's involvement in John's defence?

Book Two, Chapter XLI

Describe what you think would have happened inside the jury deliberation room of Wilson's trial.

Book Two, Chapter XL

What do you think of John's revised statement?

Book Two, Chapter XXXIX

What do you think of the use of technology in police investigations?

Book Two, Chapter XXXVIII

Describe the various strategies used by Superintendent Tracey, Inspector Smith, and Inspector Goldsmith to coerce John into a confession.   What do you think of the effectiveness of these strategies, both in this case and in general?

Book Two, Chapter XXXVII

Who do you think deserves more sympathy: Polly or Jessie? Why?

Book Two, Chapter XXXVI

Why do you think the public, both in the early 1900s and today, have a "love affair" with cases such as the John Wilson murder trial? Why do people enjoy being "armchair detectives"? 

Book Two, Chapter XXXV

What do you think of John's written statement and his actions after writing it?

Book Two, Chapter XXXIV

In this chapter, John ponders why he didn't write to Polly's family that she had died of the flu, but he doesn’t know why.  What do you think? Do you think that he would have gotten away with the murder if he had? Why or why not? 

Book Two, Chapter XXXIII

What do you think of all of the people who are giving information about John?

Book Two, Chapter XXXII

Respond to the following comment from Eileen Wismer:
     "Oh, don't worry," she replied. "I often had to play double with him so he wouldn't know I knew about their troubles.  But I'd be hard put to be civil" (128).

Book Two, Chapter XXXI

Respond to the following statement: "And something in him had always known he would see the whole thing through" (125).

Book Two, Chapters XXIX and XXX

Why do you think Lois Simmie includes the chapters describing Polly’s burial site? What is the effect of these descriptions?

Book Two, Chapters XXVII and XVIII

What do you think John should do now that the Hutchisons have started to investigate Polly's absence?

Book Two, Chapters XXV and XXVI

What do you think is going to happen next? Justify your prediction with evidence from the story.

Book Two, Chapter XXIV

Describe the situation of the Wilson family(ies) from the perspective of Eileen Wismer.

Book Two, Chapter XXIII

Do you think that vaccinations should be mandatory? Why or why not?

Book Two, Chapter XXII

What do you think of John switching to writing telegrams instead of letters? Why would he do this?

Book One, Chapters XX and XXI

What do you think of John's cover-up and cover story?

Book One, Chapters XVIII and XIX

Describe your reactions to the events of these chapters.

Book One, Chapter XVII

What do you think John and Polly's reunion will be like?

Book One, Chapter XVI

What do you notice about the word choice of John's letters to Jessie and Polly?

Book One, Chapter XV

Describe John's strategy for maintaining his double life.  Do you think his strategy is effective? Why or why not?

Book One, Chapter XIV (Part 2)

What do you think Polly is waiting for? What do you think she should do now?

Book One, Chapter XIV (Part 1)

Why do you think Polly isn’t saying anything to her family of her suspicions about John? Do you think she is doing the right thing? Why or why not?

Book One, Chapters XII and XIII

Do you think that John is a convincing liar? Why or why not?

Book One, Chapters X and XI

Discuss the potential implications, both positive and negative, of Polly going to Canada to find John. Do you think that she should? Why or why not?

Book One, Chapter IX

Respond to the following conversation between John Patterson and John Wilson: 

"It's about Jessie, you seeing Jessie, I mean.  I want you to tell me...Well, you know there are rumours going around that you're a married man, and I have to ask you if they're true." 

"No, they're not true.  I was married, but my wife died after I left the old country." 

"Oh? Well, I'm sorry to hear that." 

"It's all right.  It's almost three years ago.  But you know how stories get twisted." 

"Oh sure, I know what it's like in a small place." 

Book One, Chapters VII and VIII

What do you think the future holds for John and Polly Wilson? Do you agree that “he had done all he could to get back home” (25)?

Book One, Chapters V and VI

What do you think of conscription? Some countries, including South Korea and Israel, enact conscription of approximately 2-3 years for males over the age of 18. Although the Canadian government did enact forms of conscription during times of emergency such as both World Wars, it is not currently legislated. Do you think it should be? Why or why not? 

Book One, Chapters III and IV

In these chapters we hear of the propaganda that was used to entice Europeans to come to settle in Canada. Do you think that propaganda is ethical? What other examples of propaganda can you think of?

Book One, Chapters I and II

What do we learn about John’s character in these chapters? What is foreshadowed about him? What do you think of him so far?

Prologue

What mood is created by the parallel narratives in the prologue?