Crooked River by RW Bennett

Question 1

Our protagonist in the story is Myra Hailey. She and her husband Langston have divested their interest in the ROCK CREEK irrigation project and have enrolled in law schools in Chicago. Was this a surprise to you? Did it seem consistent with your image of Myra’s personality and character? Explain why.

Question 2

Did her parents’ downfall meet your expectations? What did Myra’s reaction to their downfall say about her character?

Question 3

Myra opens her own law practice in Boise after her inquiries for employment as a lawyer at several established Boise law firms were rejected. Were you surprised and was her anger justified? Should she have known that this would happen?

Question 4

Myra and Langston’s marriage was probably not typical for the times they lived in. Please list three reasons why you feel this way or do not.

Question 5

Myra becomes a plaintiff attorney aggressively taking up Native Americans’ causes. In your view, was this aggressiveness consistent with your image of her from ROCK CREEK?

Question 6

Even though he was acquitted, most historians feel that Big Bill Haywood, the miners’ union president who was defended by Clarence Darrow, was guilty of conspiring to kill ex-Governor Steunenberg. Speculation over the years has it that a paid assassin (the operative in the story) was the real killer. What was your reaction after the jury submitted its decision?

Question 7

Draw important contrasts between these three characters:
a. Jessie
b. Ardith
c. The operative

Question 8

Myra seemed to have Jessie pegged from the very start. Did she wait too long to approach Frankie and/or Ramsey and Annie Chris about Jessie’s true motives?