Sparring Partners

Fiction | Short Story Collection | Adult | Published in 2022

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

“Homecoming”

“Strawberry Moon”

“Sparring Partners”

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

How does the small-town setting of “Homecoming” impact the narrative and major themes of the novella? Would the story be different if it were set in a large city, rather than a small town?

Explore the depiction of romantic relationships in “Homecoming.” How does Jake Brigance’s relationship with his wife differ from that of Mack Stafford?

What similarities or differences can you identify between the depiction of Jake in “Homecoming” and his depiction in other works by John Grisham? How has the character evolved over time?