The Women of Brewster Place

Analyze the male characters in the novel. How are their actions affected by The Impact of Systemic Racism and Sexism?

Which character would you choose to be the central protagonist of The Women of Brewster Place? Analyze at least three key passages to illustrate the reasons for your choice.

Discuss the historical context of The Women of Brewster Place. What relationship do the characters have to the Southern United States, and why did they decide to move north?

Is The Women of Brewster Place a feminist novel? Why or why not?

In the opening interlude, Naylor uses language that personifies Brewster Place, implicitly portraying it as a character in the novel. What role does the apartment block play throughout the story? How does a sense of place affect the characters?

Discuss the structure of the novel. What effect does the concept of “a novel in seven stories” create? Why did Naylor choose to tell the story of Brewster Place in this way? What element allows the text to gain the essential continuity to be a true novel instead of remaining a collection of short stories?

What role does sexuality play in the novel? How do some woman use their sexuality to their advantage or disadvantage?

All Brewster Place’s women have dreams for their lives and futures. However, they also often dream at night when they sleep. What are some instances of symbolic dreams, and what meaning do they have in the novel?