The Scoundrel’s Son

by Frederic Fahey

​

 

Why did the author entitle the work The Scoundrel’s Son?

 

The work revolves around the friendships among the three young main characters. What does Tom bring to these relationships? What does he glean from knowing Edward and Jane?

 

There is also a second girl in Tom’s life, Aly Brown, and her relation with Tom is much different than his with Jane. Why is Tom and Aly’s friendship so strong?

 

How does the fact that Tom is reflecting on his time with Edward and Jane 20 years later affect how he tells the tale?

 

On page 2, we learn of the passing of Edward’s father.  Death is again introduced in Chapter 6 (page 38) with the deaths of Tom’s father, Queen Kateryn Parr and Father Andrew and carries right through to the last line of Chapter 37 (page 222) just before the Epilogue. Through these experiences at such a young age, how does Tom come to grips with mortality?

 

How did its historical basis affect your reading and understanding of the story?

 

Was there some aspect of the work that made you think of something in your own life?

 

What is the take-home message of the tale?

 

Extra Credit: Prior to reading the Epilogue, did you entertain thoughts as to whom “my lady”, the person listening to the tale, might be? Why? Were you right?