Review Questions for The Trail of the Lonesome Pine

1.         Give a characterization of John and June. Why is it so hard for them to make the decision to wed come to pass?

2.          The Tollivers and Falins are like the Hatfields and McCoys. Use the Tollivers and Falins and events of the novel to explain the mountain code and its implications on life in the hills.

3.         Much like a Shakespearean play, the plot unfolds and builds to a climax. What is the climax; what is the conflict in ‘civilizations’ that is apparent; what role do June, Hale, the Tollivers, and the Falins play in the conflict; and what are the implications for their relationships? Make the idea of the conflict in ‘civilizations’ the central idea of this answer.

4.         Compare and contrast John’s and June’s relationship as a journey over time from beginning to end. How are they ‘star-crossed’ lovers and how do they get beyond it?

5.         The novel is a microcosm of regional boom and bust cycles. Explain how this runs centrally through the novel and its use as a plot device.