Bellringer:  

1) Why do you think Sethe did what she did? Given the horror of it, do you think such an action could be justified, even in such circumstances? How do you feel about Sethe now? 

2) How do you think she explained her actions to her surviving children? Do you think they forgave her or ever really trusted her again?

3) Schoolteacher purposefully left one of his nephews at home so he would "see what happened when you over beat creatures God had given you the responsibility of–the trouble it was, and the loss" (176). If he was so intent upon making sure his nephews knew how to behave why do you think he didn't stop them from raping Sethe, seeing as he was there when it happened? Why wasn't the other nephew punished in the same manner? What does this show about the superiority complex that whites had created for themselves during this time period?

Homework: Chapters 17-18 and post a discussion question for each chapter