The Wood at Midwinter

Write a short creative piece that imagines what happens to Merowdis after her disappearance, drawing closely on the language and motifs of the source text.

Research the saintly figure of St. Francis of Assisi in Christianity. In what ways do you think the story draws on this cultural allusion, and how does knowledge of it inform your reading?

Why do you think Clarke added her afterword? What does it add, and do you think it is mostly a work of fact or fiction?

Paying close attention to the novella’s language and drawing on examples, discuss the ways in which its portrayal of the natural world is an immersive experience for the reader.

Most characters, including the animals, are female. Why do you think Clarke has chosen the relevant genders of her characters, and how do these inform the characters’ roles?

Analyze the ways in which Clarke combines and contrasts ideas of innocence, threat, and wisdom to create a coming-of-age fable. Consider the age of Merowdis and her potential transition from girl to mother.

How does the story portray sisterhood, and how does this frame the other relationships in the novella?

What role do the church and the painting have in the novella? How does its inclusion alter your reading of the narrative’s meaning?