Pingo Lingo

Bean Trees Chapter 15

Chapter 15
Review Questions

  1. How do Estevan and Esperanza react as they drive further into Cherokee land?
  2. What starts to happen to Esperanza?
  3. As Turtle is burying Shirley Poppy, what connection does Taylor make?
  4. What promise does Taylor make to Turtle?

Discussion Questions

  • What changes in Esperanza and Estevan occur? What do these changes mean?
  • What are Taylor’s feelings about Estevan? What do you think Kingsolver is saying about relationships?
  • How has Turtle’s and Taylor’s early years differed?
  • What wishes do you think Taylor makes? What does Taylor’s refusal to wish using money say about her?
  • Would Cynthia be surprised to find out Turtle’s mother is dead? Why or why not?

Cultural and Historical Allusions

  • holy cards
  • Bible school
  • Holy Ghost
  • poncho
  • whirling dervish

Medical, Natural, and Geographic Allusions

  • Pine Needles
  • Pine Forest
  • A Scarlet Columbine Flower

Chapter 16

  1. What is Esperanza’s act of courage?
  2. How has Esperanza’s face changed?

New Characters

  • Mrs. Cleary
  • Mr. Wenn
  • Miss Brindo

Cultural and Historical Allusions

  • basketball
  • hearing aid
  • Oscar nomination
  • White-out

Medical, Natural, and Geographic Allusions

  • stork

Chapter 17

  1. Why does Taylor insist on waking Turtle up to say goodbye to Estevan and Esperanza?
  2. When Taylor says goodbye to Estevan, what does she realize about this heartache?
  3. What does Taylor’s mother think is perhaps the main influence on children?
  4. Taylor has had a number of names throughout this novel. What is the last name she claims?

New Characters

  • Reverend Stone
  • Mrs. Stone
  • Irma Ruebecker
  • Mae Richey
  • Minerva Wickentot
  • Cameron John

Idioms, Slang, and Difficult Words

  • pack rat
  • the cat’s meow
  • catharsis
  • groggily
  • horticultre
  • tempest

Cultural and Historical Allusions

  • Robin Hood
  • Underground Railroad
  • White-out
  • clapboard
  • Statue of Liberty
  • Shell gas station
  • “Give me your tired …”
  • Burger King
  • The Music Man
  • Marian the Librarian
  • chain gang
  • Rastafarians
  • Mr. T.

Medical, Natural, and Geographic Allusions

  • Oklahoma City
  • rhizobia
  • ageratums
  • legume
  • Doberman pinschers