What foundation is Tommy Orange, the author laying in the Prologue?
While Jude Star is at Fort Marion, he talks about white visitors coming to see them “perform being Indian.” How do we see the commodification and fetishization of Native people represented throughout the book?
The story begins with Jude and then unfolds across seven generations into the present, ending with baby Opal. Why is it important that the story is told through multiple generations in one family?
Charles Star, right before he died, thought about how tired he was of enduring. Where else do you see both that strength and exhaustion in his descendants?
the prologue and first several chapters of Wandering Stars not only set up the novel but provide us with the important history of how American colonial settlers orchestrated and executed the genocide of the indigenous people already living on the land. Did you learn anything new from these opening chapters? How did this painful history affect you? What parallels, if any, do you see with modern conflicts around the world, including Yemen, Ukraine, Gaza, Haiti, and Sudan?
it says, “I didn’t think stories were made to comfort. I believed what my father told me. Stories do more than comfort. They take you away and bring you back better made.” What do stories offer you? What do you feel is your responsibility as a reader?
What was the reason for the character of Sean in the story? What did he represent and how does he fit into the rest of the story.
-p. 130 Sean describes being non-binary. men are a secret cult
Chapter 19 is called “Who Can Say Indian?,” and opens with Sean wondering whether or not he can say the word around Orvil, because Sean learned, through a DNA test, that he has a significant amount “Indian blood.” What did you think of the conversation between Sean and Orvil, and their subsequent friendship? In what ways did the genocide of Native Americans factor into how these boys see themselves and their history? Then, there is this line: “Sean thought it was so weird, this idea of the heritage being in the blood, but then not as weird as it only being in remnants, or relics, old art and artifacts meant to be seen behind museum glass” (197). In what ways do you feel close to or disconnected from your own heritage? How well do you know your older relatives and their stories?
Why do you think the character of Richard Henry Pratt, the founder of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School showed remorse about his role in "rehabilitating" Indians.
There’s still a lot of stigma around addiction and in many cases it’s seen as a personal failing. What circumstances beyond their control brought these characters to substance abuse? In what ways do racism, depression, fatigue, and generational trauma factor in? What gives you hope for these characters to break the cycle?
What is the significance of Opal giving Charles a traditional burial? How does the story shift with the end of this chapter?
Chapter 12 follows Victoria Bear Shield and is told in the second person. Why? What feeling does this switch invoke?
What effects does interracial adoption have on Native people and communities as represented in the book?
How do Orvil, Loother and Lony each respond to trauma? In what way is this affected by their disconnection from their Indigenous community?
Why did Opal keep cultural knowledge and family stories from the boys? At the end of chapter 25, Opal asks herself that question. What is the reasoning behind her shift in opinion?
What similarities do you see within each characters’ stories and experiences? How do they reflect the effects of intergenerational trauma?
Stars and birds are woven throughout the entire novel. What do they symbolize?
At the end of chapter 2, Jude describes how he chose his name and how struck he was by a Bible verse concerning wandering stars. Why do you think it impacted him? Why was it used for the title of the book?
Chapter 19 is called “Who Can Say Indian?,” and opens with Sean wondering whether or not he can say the word around Orvil, because Sean learned, through a DNA test, that he has a significant amount “Indian blood.” What did you think of the conversation between Sean and Orvil, and their subsequent friendship? In what ways did the genocide of Native Americans factor into how these boys see themselves and their history? Then, there is this line: “Sean thought it was so weird, this idea of the heritage being in the blood, but then not as weird as it only being in remnants, or relics, old art and artifacts meant to be seen behind museum glass” (197). In what ways do you feel close to or disconnected from your own heritage? How well do you know your older relatives and their stories?
Why do you think the character of Richard Henry Pratt, the founder of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School showed remorse about his role in "rehabilitating" Indians.
There’s still a lot of stigma around addiction and in many cases it’s seen as a personal failing. What circumstances beyond their control brought these characters to substance abuse? In what ways do racism, depression, fatigue, and generational trauma factor in? What gives you hope for these characters to break the cycle?
What is the significance of Opal giving Charles a traditional burial? How does the story shift with the end of this chapter?
Chapter 12 follows Victoria Bear Shield and is told in the second person. Why? What feeling does this switch invoke?
What effects does interracial adoption have on Native people and communities as represented in the book?
How do Orvil, Loother and Lony each respond to trauma? In what way is this affected by their disconnection from their Indigenous community?
Why did Opal keep cultural knowledge and family stories from the boys? At the end of chapter 25, Opal asks herself that question. What is the reasoning behind her shift in opinion?
What similarities do you see within each characters’ stories and experiences? How do they reflect the effects of intergenerational trauma?
Stars and birds are woven throughout the entire novel. What do they symbolize?
At the end of chapter 2, Jude describes how he chose his name and how struck he was by a Bible verse concerning wandering stars. Why do you think it impacted him? Why was it used for the title of the book?
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