Stone Mattress

What does the gate to Alphinland represent in the story “Alphinland”? Why is it important to not only “Alphinland” but the two stories that follow in the collection?

Constance, in “Alphinland,” and Wilma, in “Torching the Dusties,” have a lot in common. What are the similarities between the two women? Why do you think Atwood chooses to bookend the tales in this collection with the stories of these two women?

Throughout the collection, there are characters who protect other characters. What are some examples of these relationships? What is Atwood saying about these characters, both the protector and the protected?

Characters in these stories often get information about the outside world from the television news. Give examples. Why is it important that these characters receive information from the media?

What does it mean, in “Dark Lady,” that Jorrie “wants to tap dance on the graves” (75)?

In what ways does Atwood align aging and postmodernism in the collection?

To you, is Verna more of a hero or more of a villain? Why?

In “Torching the Dusties,” Tobias has many opinions he shares with Wilma. Several of these opinions are about women. What does Tobias think about women? Why is his attitude about women important to the story?