THE STORMS OF EDDIE GREER

By Mary Perrine

 

Discussion Questions

 

BEHAVIORS:

How an individual reacts to an event is typically influenced by previous experiences. Being told how to respond has less impact than observing someone else in a similar situation. Modeling behaviors significantly impact the choices one makes.

1. Eddie vowed never to be like his father, yet he became exactly like him. Why? 

2. Which of your parents do you think you modeled your beliefs after the most? Why?

 

CHANGE:

Change can be good, bad, or both. Individuals often fear change because of the unknown. 

1. Why didn’t Jules leave sooner? Explain your reasoning.

2. Do you love change, or do you prefer the status quo? Explain.

 

CHAOS:

Psychopaths (unstable and aggressive) and narcissists (excessive admiration for self) create chaos to keep attention focused on them. 

1. Would you consider Eddie to be a psychopath or a narcissist? Explain. 

2. Describe an experience you have had with a psychopath or narcissist. Did they create chaos? How did you deal with the person?

 

CONTROL & TRAUMA:

Living through traumatic experiences often creates a need to control people and things, even if it means repeating the same behaviors of their ancestors.

1. Eddie’s traumatic experiences created his need for control. What were some of the things he held on to so tightly? Why?

2. According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, 70% of people will experience trauma. About 6% of the population will be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at some point. Women are over two times more likely to develop PTSD than men. Think about a trauma you had in your life. How did you deal with the fallout? Was it effective?

 

FAMILY:

Family support can have a significant impact on mental health. Individuals who grow up with supportive parents tend to have more positive relationships in their adult life.

1. Jules and Eddie came from very different backgrounds. Support this statement with examples from each of their lives. 

2. Think of someone who came from a family that was very different from yours. In what ways are you different as adults?

 

ISOLATION:

Social isolation can cause psychological and physical health issues: mental illness, heart disease, loneliness and depression, and cognitive issues.  

1. As a child, Eddie’s father isolated him from his friends and neighbors. In adulthood, Eddie chose to isolate himself. Why?

2. Have you ever experienced isolation from others? What caused it? How did it affect you?

 

JUDGMENT:

Humans have an innate need to be correct. Therefore, we are keenly aware of people and situations we deem as wrong. This elevates our opinion of ourselves and our choices.

1. The Greer men judged everyone. Eddie fell into the same habit. Give some examples that show Eddie’s judgment of others.

2. Share a judgment you made of someone or something else. Why did you make the judgment?

 

LOVE & HATE:

Love-hate relationships can be with people and/or things. (i.e. chocolate, coffee, work, etc.) They offer both extreme positives and negatives, and therefore, can have a significant impact on your mental health. 

1. Jules loved and hated Eddie. She loved and hated the farm. Give examples from the story that support those statements . How did these love-hate relationships impact her mental health?

2. What or whom do you have a love-hate relationship with? How has it impacted your life?

 

MANIPULATION:

A manipulator's goal is to control and gain power over their victim. According to Web MD, manipulators will use complaining, comparing, lying, denying, feigning ignorance or innocence, blame, guilt, and mind games to accomplish their goal.

1. The Greer men were major manipulators. Give examples from the book that show how they manipulated others.

2. Have you ever been manipulated by someone? What process did they use? How did it make you feel? How did you handle the situation?

 

OVERCOMING:

Everyone faces challenges. Success is based on the ability to be resilient: face the challenge, make a plan, and move forward.

1. Eddie, Jules, Melia, Cade, and all the Greer wives had a great deal to overcome. Step into the shoes of one of these characters. What would you have done differently?

2. Think of a person who has overcome a huge challenge. Did their attitude play a part in their success?

 

FINAL THOUGHT:

Complete these two sentences.

1. Eddie Greer and I are alike because we…

2. I am very different from Eddie Greer because I…

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