The title Murder by Degrees is from an Emily Dickinson poem, quoted in the epigraph: "The Whole of it came not at once-- 'Twas Murder by degrees-- A Thrust--and then for Life a chance-- The Bliss to cauterize-- The Cat reprieves the Mouse She eases from her teeth Just long enough for Hope to tease--" How do you read the poem now that you've read the book? What themes from the poem are represented in the case? What motivates Dr. Lydia Weston in her investigation of Anna Ward's death? How do her professional and personal experiences shape her character? Discuss Lydia's relationships with her students, colleagues, and the police. How do these interactions reflect the power dynamics of the time? How do themes of family, loyalty, and betrayal manifest in the novel? How do they drive the plot and reveal deeper aspects of the characters? How does Anna's diary develop her character? How does your perception of her change as you see more of her entries? How do social class and power dynamics play a role in both the murder and the investigation? What role does the setting of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania play in the narrative? How does it play in to the book's discussion of class? The novel deals with themes of gender inequality. How is the commentary woven into the investigation? How do they impact the resolution? How does Lydia's medical background enrich the novel? In the final pages Mr. Kohler suggests that maybe "It is time for a respite from poetry." to which Lydia says "No, Mr. Kohler.never" (p.

286). What do you think is next for Lydia?.