The Rose Code

Mab, Beth, and Osla each have varying tastes in literature. What do their preferences reveal about their characters?

Beth repeatedly thinks of Dilly’s riddle about being “inside the clock.” How is that an apt description of Beth’s time inside Clockwell Sanitarium?

Several climactic moments of the plot coincide with major historical events, including D-Day and the royal wedding between Philip and Elizabeth. What significance do these events have to characters and the plot, and why might Quinn have structured the plot around these major events?

Consider Mr. and Mrs. Finch as foil characters, with one parent far too controlling and the other disengaged. What impact does each have on Beth, and what do their failings suggest about more meaningful parental relationships?

Francis Gray is a fictional war poet, and samples of his poems are included in the novel. Perform a close reading of Francis’s poetry, contextualizing it with poems by historical veterans of World War I. Do you agree with Mab’s assessment of his poetry?

Mab believes that Beth had a moral obligation to warn her about the raid in Coventry, whereas Beth feels that her oath of secrecy to BP is more important. Analyze their argument in Chapter 64: what kind of moral, philosophical, or other appeals does each make to support her position?

Despite the brevity of his appearance at BP, Winston Churchill leaves an impression on Mab and others. Compare his portrayal here with historical accounts of his personality and appearance; what exactly seems to make him so charismatic? How does Quinn use his presence to explore the novel’s themes?

Satire, a genre that combines humor with social criticism, is Osla’s preferred genre to write. Analyze her writings as excerpted throughout the text: Can they be categorized as satire? If so, who or what does she mock?