1. Much of The Postmistress is centered on Frankie’s radio broadcasts — either Frankie broadcasting them, or the other characters listening to them. How do you think the experience of listening to the news via radio in the 1940s differs from our experience of getting news from the television or the internet? What is the difference between hearing news and seeing pictures, or reading accounts of news? Do you think there is something that the human voice conveys that the printed word cannot?
2. “Get in. Get the story. Get out.” That is Murrow’s charge to Frankie. Does this story make you question whether it’s possible to ever really get the whole story? Or to get out?
3. Early in the novel, Frankie reflects on the fact that most people believed that “women shouldn’t be reporting the war.” Do you think that Frankie’s gender influences her reporting? How does Frankie deal with being a female in a male-dominated field? And do you think female reporters today are under closer scrutiny because of their gender?
4. When Thomas is killed, Frankie imagines his parents sitting miles away, not knowing what has happened to their son and realizes there is no way for her to tell them. Today it is rare that news can’t be delivered. In this age of news 24/7, are we better off?
5. After Thomas tells his story of escape, the old woman in the train compartment says “There was God looking out for you at every turn.” Thomas disagrees. “People looked out. Not God.” He adds, “There is no God. Only us.” How does this novel raise the questions of faith in wartime? How does this connect to the decisions Iris and Frankie make with regard to Emma?
6. The novel deals with the last summer of innocence for the United States before it was drawn into WWII and before the United States was attacked. Do you see any modern-day parallels? And if so, what?
7. We know that Emma was orphaned, that Will’s father had drinking problems, that Iris’s brother was killed in the First War, and that Frankie grew up in a brownstone in Washington Square. How do these characters’ backgrounds shape the decisions that they make? And if we didn’t have this information, would our opinion of the characters and their actions change?
8. Discuss the significance of the Martha Gellhorn quote at the beginning of the book, “War happens to people, one by one. That is really all I have to say, and it seems to me I have been saying it forever.” What stance towards war, and of telling a war story does this reveal? How does it affect your reading of The Postmistress?
10 comments:
I have posted the first set of questions for The Postmistress. Separately I also posted my comment about Iris hearing Frankie on the radio (pp. 119-120).
1. Much of The Postmistress is centered on Frankie’s radio broadcasts — either Frankie broadcasting them, or the other characters listening to them. How do you think the experience of listening to the news via radio in the 1940s differs from our experience of getting news from the television or the internet? What is the difference between hearing news and seeing pictures, or reading accounts of news? Do you think there is something that the human voice conveys that the printed word cannot?
I think that the bombardment of news that we receive now from television and the internet makes us less attentive. The news is more current and more graphic, but such a constant barrage that it is less meaningful. The human voice sharing the news is less graphic, but forces the listener to be more attentive to understand what is going on. When news is shared via the human voice, it can be more personal as it seems to be speaking to each one individually.
2. “Get in. Get the story. Get out.” That is Murrow’s charge to Frankie. Does this story make you question whether it’s possible to ever really get the whole story? Or to get out?
The saying summarizes the goal for reporters and also hints that the time limitation makes it unlikely that the full story will be revealed. I think it also hints that since getting out is a goal that it isn't always attained.
3. Early in the novel, Frankie reflects on the fact that most people believed that “women shouldn’t be reporting the war.” Do you think that Frankie’s gender influences her reporting? How does Frankie deal with being a female in a male-dominated field? And do you think female reporters today are under closer scrutiny because of their gender?
I'm embarrassed to admit that when women first began reporting the evening news, I didn't like it. To me the news seemed more gossipy than when men reported it. Although women can bring the more emotional aspect of a story, in more recent years I think men are now able to do the same. To avoid the stereotypes and sexism that she encountered, Frankie tended to remain detached from those around her. Women are now so accepted in journalism that I don't think they are scrutinized any more than men are.
4. When Thomas is killed, Frankie imagines his parents sitting miles away, not knowing what has happened to their son and realizes there is no way for her to tell them. Today it is rare that news can’t be delivered. In this age of news 24/7, are we better off?
In our age of constant news, it allows people to be informed sooner of events. I wish that this change forced people to realize the horrors of war and the futility of it, but it hasn't. It is as if the bombardment of news makes it less meaningful.
5. After Thomas tells his story of escape, the old woman in the train compartment says “There was God looking out for you at every turn.” Thomas disagrees. “People looked out. Not God.” He adds, “There is no God. Only us.” How does this novel raise the questions of faith in wartime? How does this connect to the decisions Iris and Frankie make with regard to Emma?
I think hard times such as the horrors that the Jewish people faced either makes one conclude that God does not exist as He could not allow such horrible things to happen or it makes one draw more upon their faith. I'm not such what decisions are being referred to about Iris and Frankie with regard to Emma.
6. The novel deals with the last summer of innocence for the United States before it was drawn into WWII and before the United States was attacked. Do you see any modern-day parallels? And if so, what? I drew a blank on this question.
7. We know that Emma was orphaned, that Will’s father had drinking problems, that Iris’s brother was killed in the First War, and that Frankie grew up in a brownstone in Washington Square. How do these characters’ backgrounds shape the decisions that they make? And if we didn’t have this information, would our opinion of the characters and their actions change?
The information makes us more sympathetic to the loneliness Will's departure causes Emma as well as his decision to go to England. The information on Frankie doesn't seem to provide as much insight into her life.
8. Discuss the significance of the Martha Gellhorn quote at the beginning of the book, “War happens to people, one by one. That is really all I have to say, and it seems to me I have been saying it forever.” What stance towards war, and of telling a war story does this reveal? How does it affect your reading of The Postmistress?
This quote stresses the fact that the impact of war is the impact on individuals. Looking at the war from the impact on individuals gives a better picture of the war than just looking at the battles and who won or lost the war. The Postmistress definitely allows the reader to look at the impact of the war on individuals.
Shirley, when you were answering Question #5, you said, "I'm not such what decisions are being referred to about Iris and Frankie with regard to Emma."
Both Iris, the postmistress, and Frankie, the war correspondent knew something they could have (and maybe should have) told Emma. Iris pocketed the letter, and Frankie "was there" when an important element of the story occurred, yet she chose not to tell Emma when she met her. Why do you suppose she didn't? Did their separate decisions have anything to do with faith (I think that was the point of Question #5)?
I haven't gotten far enough in the book in which Frankie has met Emma so didn't know that aspect. However, her reluctance to mail the letter does seem odd. I know that Will gave Iris a letter to give Emma if he was killed, but I wasn't sure how she was to know. After as many days have passed though, it would seem that it would be good to go ahead and give her the letter. Maybe I missed something in my reading though.
Shirley, the problem with my trying to post questions on a book I read months ago is that I can't remember how far into the story the reader learns about this or that aspect. So I apologize if I've jumped ahead and asked a question too early.
Yes, Frankie does come to town and knows which one is Emma, but I couldn't remember if they meet face-to-face or not. I know Frankie sees Emma and thinks about her situation, but I've forgotten details. The questions I'm using were posted online.
I don't think you've missed anything in your reading.
Whew! I was afraid that my reading may have been too casual or my short term memory may have faded. At least with our book buddies, I don't have the threat hanging over my head of failing the class.
Whew! I was afraid that my reading may have been too casual or my short term memory may have faded. At least with our book buddies, I don't have the threat hanging over my head of failing the class.
I certainly hope not, Shirley!
I just finished "part 1" of the book today ... running behind schedule as usual. I hope that I'll have something to add to the discussion within the next few days!
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