Optimist's Daughter discussion

Today we discussed The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty. This makes three of her books now under my belt. Maybe, by retirement, I will have read and discussed them all with fellow Mississippians. One can only hope.

Miss Welty originally suggested “Poor Eyes” as the title. Although, I like the optimist idea, I think "poor eyes" is more fitting and a proper tell-tale title. (Note: Bookmark dealing with eye troubles, i.e. The Tell-Tale Heart, Sees Behind Trees, Double Vision) By the end of the story it’s obvious all the characters are having or have had vision troubles.

Laurel becomes the optimist when she drops the breadboard and looks to her future. She doesn’t need the mementos of past lives; let them go to another family’s future. She takes only the things needed and instilled by her parents and grandparents, values.

Optimist's Daughter discussion

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2006/03/optimists-daughter-discussion.html