Although Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln preach the importance of forgiveness and reunification, Mrs. Lincoln fails to forgive Elizabeth for publishing her memoir. How might Elizabeth and Mrs. Lincoln’s lives have different conclusions had they successfully resolved their issues?

Analyze Elizabeth’s relationship with Mrs. Lincoln in comparison to her other friendships. What qualities are essential in a successful friendship and why? In what ways is Mrs. Lincoln and Elizabeth’s friendship lacking? How is their friendship unique from most other relationships?

Explore how religion and spirituality impact the characters’ lives. How do Elizabeth and Mr. Lincoln use religion to guide their actions? How does Mrs. Lincoln’s spirituality affect her life? Support your answer with evidence from the text.