Whistling Past the Graveyard

Baking is a complex symbol in the story. Unpack what it represents. How does baking symbolize love, security, and independence? How does it reinforce Starla and Eula’s bond, and how does it give Eula agency?

Talk about the historical context of the book. How does Crandall bring in the civil rights movement, and how does it impact Starla, Eula, and the other characters?

Put Whistling Past the Graveyard in conversation with theories about race. When does the narrative reinforce Robin DiAngelo’s claim that race is binary and all-consuming? Identify the moments when the characters reflect Adolph Reed’s argument that Black people aren’t reducible to fighting racism.

Near the end of the story, Starla tells her father, “I learned a lot while I was gone” (429). What did Starla learn? How did her journey change her views on race and family? In other words, how does she come of age over the course of a few weeks?

When the story starts, Starla lives with her grandmother Mamie, who is depicted as abusive. Unpack Mamie’s characterization. What are her faults? Does she have any redeemable qualities? Identify moments that represent her vulnerabilities and seeming lack of compassion.

There are many classic books that center on young white girls growing up in the racist South. One of the most famous is To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) by Harper Lee. The main character, Scout, is a little younger than Starla, but, like Starla, Scout is outspoken and confrontational. What else do Scout and Starla have in common? How does Scout learn about race and complex family relationships?

Focus on Eula’s character and development. How does she reinforce the “strong Black woman” stereotype, and when does she subvert it? Like Starla, Eula grows, but what does she learn, and how do Starla, Cyrena, and Porter help her on her journey?

Describe how humor contributes to the story. How does Starla’s age produce funny moments and quirky observations? Does Starla know she’s being funny, or is her humor inadvertent?