Questions for Ragged Company
by Richard Wagamese
- What were your overall impressions of the novel?
- Which character did you connect with the most, and why?
- Were there any moments that surprised or challenged you?
- Each of the four main characters has a different past. How did their personal histories shape the way they responded to winning the lottery?
- How does the friendship among the group evolve throughout the story?
- Did your opinion of any character change as the novel progressed?
- What does the novel suggest about the relationship between money and happiness?
- What role do hope and second chances play in the story?
- How are trust and community portrayed? Are they earned, given, or both?
- How does the novel reflect Indigenous ways of knowing, healing, or storytelling?
- In what ways do the characters' experiences illustrate the lasting effects of trauma and colonialism?
- What did you think of the dream sequences and spiritual elements? How did they contribute to the story?
- Were there any symbols or recurring images that stood out to you?
- How does the novel encourage readers to think differently about poverty and homelessness?
- What responsibilities, if any, do communities have toward people experiencing homelessness?
- Did the lottery win solve the characters' problems? Why or why not?
- If you suddenly came into a large amount of money, what challenges might you face that the characters also encountered?
- Were you satisfied with the ending? Why or why not?
- What do you imagine happens to the characters after the novel ends?
- Would you recommend this book to others? What kind of reader would appreciate it most?