Emily’s mother keeps the pamphlet about Kansas with a dream of going there one day, and Emily shares her sense of destiny to move there. Why do you suppose this is? Where do you most long to visit, or move to? Is there a place you're pulled toward?

Book Clubs Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor Discussion
1

Emily’s mother keeps the pamphlet about Kansas with a dream of going there one day, and Emily shares her almost instinctive sense of destiny to move there. Why do you suppose this is? Where do you most long to visit, or move to? Is there a place your north star pulls you toward?

2

I can relate to Emily’s desire to move to Kansas as it related to her mother.
My father never had a desire to travel. He served in the Navy during World War Two and was stationed in Seattle. Later in life I asked if there was any country he would like to visit. The only one he mentioned was Singapore but he never told me why. When he turned 80 I asked if he’d like to go and he said no (don’t think he was up to that type of travel). One day I decided I would make it to Singapore on his behalf. Now 24 years later I’m going to Singapore this November!

1 Like
3

I think it’s natural to hold onto the dreams and hopes of our parents especially when they die so young. Em missed her parents terribly as well as her sisters. I think it’s a way of keeping them alive.

4

By holding on to her Mother’s dream, I think Emily felt, in a way, she was keeping her Mother close to her. I think we all long for roots. I have always had a strong attraction to all things British. Finally I did my DNA and discovered that most of my ancestors on my father’s side came from Nottinghamshire, England. I finally got to visit England this summer and felt such a strong connection to the place and the people. I feel a strong pull to go back and secretly wish that I could move there! Perhaps Emily felt close to her Irish roots in Kansas because of her Mother’s desire, but I think the Prairie also felt like her Irish home felt. A place where she belonged.

5

How wonderful Joyce. Know that your Dad will be with you in spirit. Enjoy your trip!

6

Thank you so much!:heart:

7

I believe it was for sentimental reasons - conjures thoughts of her Mother

8

Emily’s mother may have kept the pamphlet because it helped her feel close to her mother.i have always wanted to go to Australia and Hawaii.I don’t have a sentimental reason but would like to go.