"Lysandra's Poem"

"Lysandra's Poem" by Budge Wilson

This story comes from Wilson's anthology of short stories called The Leaving: And Other Stories. Published in 1990, the stories draw upon Wilson's experiences and memories growing up in Nova Scotia, and feature girls growing up and "leaving" behind childhood and innocence.

As you read “Lysandra’s Poem”, pay careful attention to how the author presents the characters. How does she make them come to life? Also, monitor your comprehension. If you're losing your place in the story, make a timeline and document key events that happen as you read.

1. What is the significance or effect of the opening paragraphs? Why is the weather significant?
2. According to the narrator, how has the climate rubbed off on herself and on Lysandra? What personality traits dominated the young narrator and Lysandra?
3. In one paragraph, the narrator focuses on the origins of Lysandra’s uncommon name. Did you notice that the author stopped short of actually revealing where the name came from? Do some research to find out what Lysandra means and where it came from. Did you know that text creators, such as authors, playwrights, and artists, often choose their characters’ names based on the character traits they want to give them? This is something worth checking out in other texts we explore.
4. In your opinion, who is the protagonist and antagonist of “Lysandra’s Poem”? Remember that the protagonist has a goal that drives the plot, and the antagonist introduces the conflict and prevents the protagonist from reaching his/her goal, building the rising action.
5. What do you think the poetry contest meant to Lysandra? Why was it such a big deal?
6. Would it have been a big sacrifice for Elaine not to have entered her poem? Why do you think that Elaine submitted her poem even though she knew what the contest meant to Lysandra?
7. Was Elaine a good friend to Lysandra? Find and discuss evidence for and against.
8. Does Elaine feel remorseful for winning the poetry contest? How do you know?
9. Compare and contrast Elaine’s action of entering the poetry contest with Lysandra’s action of stealing Brett away. Whose actions do you think are more deplorable? Why?
10. From which POV is the story told? What effect does this have? What might the story be like if it were told from Lysandra’s POV?
11. After taking revenge on Elaine, Lysandra seems to change drastically, gaining confidence and direction. Why do you think that is?
12. What else is significant about the ending? Consider especially the last paragraph.
13. Trace the changes that occur in the characters of Lysandra and Elaine. To do so, it’s often helpful to establish clearly what the characters are like at the beginning of the story and then compare and contrast these traits to how the character develops or changes by the end of the story. Which character changes the most?
14. What is the significance of weather and water imagery throughout the story? How does it affect our understanding or mood with regard to the characters and the plot?
15. What does the reader learn from Elaine and Lysandra's "friendship-wreck" and the development of their characters? What does the reader learn about people's motivations and rationalization of behaviours?