1. Anney Boatwright loved her daughters, but put her husband first. Delia Byrd fights tenaciously for her girls. What characteristics differentiate Delia from Anney? (Note: This question also relates to Bastard Out of Carolina)

2. Why do Cayro's inhabitants despise Delia? Do they see in her a reflection of loved ones who have abandoned them, or are they jealous of her for doing what they were unable to do, escape a dead-end town and abusive husband?

3. Which of Delia's daughters, if any, is most like her? What traits of hers do they have in common?

4. What kind of illumination does Cissy find in the silence and darkness of the caves?

5. What do Grandaddy Byrd and Grandma Windsor have in common? What are their reasons and methods of separating themselves others, even those they claim to love?

6. What are the parallels between Nadine Reitower's behavior, which changes so radically after her stroke and Amanda's?

7. Analyze the friendship between Rosemary, M.T., and Delia? How does it help each woman?

8. Delia can take a run-down object, be it a woman ravaged by small town life or an old piece of furniture, strip away the ugliness and wear, and bring out the natural beauty. Does she, in fact, remake herself by the end of Cavedweller?