Susie (while alive) and Ray Singh (the boy she likes, who also likes her) skip class and hide on a scaffold in the school's auditorium one day. There, they witness a conversation between Ruth, the art teacher and "Mr. Peterford", whom I assume is an administrator (his position is unspecified). The two adults confront Ruth about a sketch of a nude woman; it is a drawing of Ruth's that another student discovered, altered, copied and distributed. Without directly stating that the disruption is Ruth's fault, they strongly discourage her from drawing nudes.
-What do you think of this censorship?
After the adults leave the auditorium, Susie climbs down from the scaffold and talks to Ruth, who is crying. Ruth shows Susie her sketchbook, and Susie is impressed by Ruth's artistic talent: "I realized how subversive Ruth was then, not because she drew pictures of nude women that got misused by her peers, but because she was more talented than her teachers." (page 77)
-Do you think the censorship had anything to do with envy of Ruth's talent?
After Susie's death, Ruth walks regularly in the corn field before school. From Susie's perspective: "So we met each morning in those first few months." (page 79). While Susie and Ruth are never close friends while Susie is alive, they come to cherish each other after Susie's death.
-What do you think of this bond created after death?
Pages 80-83 describe a growing friendship between Ruth and Ray Singh after Susie's death.
-What are your thoughts on the relationship between Susie's crush while alive (Ray) and friend after death (Ruth)?
"In those first two months my mother and father moved in opposite directions from each other." (page 86) This is the beginning of a growing rift between Susie's parents, catalyzed by her death.
-Why do people who love each other neglect their relationship when faced with grief?
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