Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Epilogue and Afterword

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

Monday, May 30, 2016

Book Two, Chapters XLVI-XLVII

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

Friday, May 27, 2016

Book Two, Chapter XLV

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

Thursday, May 26, 2016

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)?

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Friday, May 20, 2016

Book Two, Chapter XLI

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

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Monday, May 16, 2016

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?

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

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?

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

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? 

Monday, May 9, 2016

Book Two, Chapter XXXIII

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

Thursday, May 5, 2016

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).


Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Book Two, Chapter XXXI

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

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

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?

Monday, May 2, 2016

Book Two, Chapters XXVII and XVIII

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