Voorheesville Public Library

QUESTIONS

Why is Roseanne writing an account of her life? Who is she writing it for?
Near the beginning of her story, Roseanne says “There are moments when I am pierced through by an inexplicable joy, as if, in having nothing, I have the world. As if, in reaching this room, I have found the anteroom to paradise....” What qualities have allowed her not only to survive decades in the asylum, but to make such a joyous statement?
What is Roseanne’s tone/attitude? What does this say about her state of mind?
Roseanne tells many stories. Which did you find the most compelling?
Roseanne and Dr. Grene each narrate their separate stories. Are they reliable narrators?
Why is Roseanne reluctant to tell Dr. Grene about her past?
Why does Father Gaunt harass Roseanne? Is it because she is from a Protestant family, because he dislikes her personally, or is it something else?
Do some of the choices Roseanne makes contribute to her misfortune?
In an interview, Sebastian Barry said, “I do see Father Gaunt also as a victim of the times…” In what way is the priest a victim?
What political issues do the characters confront? How do politics affect them? Is this a political novel?
As in so many novels, one of the book’s themes is power and control. Who has power? How do they use it, for good or ill?
What’s the meaning of the title “The Secret Scripture”? Although we usually think of a “scripture” as a holy or sacred text, the true definition is “anything written; a writing; a document; an inscription”. What is Barry suggesting by using the word “scripture”?
Look for the many religious references and images the narrators use. What is their effect?

Questions compiled by Suzanne Fisher (fishers@uhls.lib.ny.us)


	The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
	QUESTIONS Why is Roseanne writing an account of her life? Who is she writing it for? Near the beginning of her story, Roseanne says “There are moments when I am pierced through by an inexplicable joy, as if, in having nothing, I have the world. As if, in reaching this room, I have found the anteroom to paradise....” What qualities have allowed her not only to survive decades in the asylum, but to make such a joyous statement? What is Roseanne’s tone/attitude? What does this say about her state of mind? Roseanne tells many stories. Which did you find the most compelling? Roseanne and Dr. Grene each narrate their separate stories. Are they reliable narrators? Why is Roseanne reluctant to tell Dr. Grene about her past? Why does Father Gaunt harass Roseanne? Is it because she is from a Protestant family, because he dislikes her personally, or is it something else? Do some of the choices Roseanne makes contribute to her misfortune? In an interview, Sebastian Barry said, “I do see Father Gaunt also as a victim of the times…” In what way is the priest a victim? What political issues do the characters confront? How do politics affect them? Is this a political novel? As in so many novels, one of the book’s themes is power and control. Who has power? How do they use it, for good or ill? What’s the meaning of the title “The Secret Scripture”? Although we usually think of a “scripture” as a holy or sacred text, the true definition is “anything written; a writing; a document; an inscription”. What is Barry suggesting by using the word “scripture”? Look for the many religious references and images the narrators use. What is their effect? Questions compiled by Suzanne Fisher (fishers@uhls.lib.ny.us)