The Thorn Birds

In light of the recent abuse scandals in the Catholic Church, how might McCullough have reimagined the character of Ralph? How did your awareness of these scandals impact your expectations of the book?

Consider the fact that all of the major male characters die before the book’s end, while all of the female characters survive. What message is the author sending with these choices? Support your response with text.

Is true love realized only with the acceptance of pain? Provide three examples from the text to support your answer.

How does the Catholic religion rationalize the emotional pain inherent in life? Provide three examples from the text to support your answer.

Select three characters from the novel and define love from each character’s perspective.

Young Meggie was ignorant of sexuality, but aware of love; in contrast, young Justine was aware of sex without understanding love. Comment on the changes in each woman’s life that enable such a dynamic to exist.

McCullough mentions the native Maoris of New Zealand only once, and she never mentions the Aborigines of Australia. Does this fact change your understanding or appreciation of the novel? Why or why not?

The televised miniseries based on the novel was filmed in California, disappointing some readers who wanted to see the landscape of Australia. Research three elements of the Australian landscape that most impact the plot line of The Thorn Birds; how do these elements contribute to the narrative?

Luke O’Neill is obsessed with his own sense of masculinity. What textual evidence supports this assertion?