How could the mother forgive Jack for something he did to his brother? Should Lewis not be the only one capable of forgiving Jack for something Jack did to him?

Does the relationship between the mother and Lewis allow her to be affected by Lewis' pains? Is a wrong done to a child, also a wrong done to the child’s mother?

Must there be a reason for someone to forgive another?

Can one ever have a reason not to forgive another person?

Can you deny forgiveness to someone whom you love?

Do we have a responsibility to forgive others?

When we forgive, does it help us in any way? Does it free us in any way?

Is punishing someone sometimes an act of mercy?

Do you have the authority to punish anyone?

Do you have the authority to punish yourself?

If Jack was really sorry for what he did, would he want to show contrition by accepting his punishment?

Can a judge forgive a convicted man, or might he/she only have power to punish and pardon?

Would an unloving person or an unforgiving person give wise and appropriate punishments?

What is the value of punishment?

Every action or inaction has consequences, even if the consequences are not wilfully imposed by an authority such as a mother. What might be the consequence of an authority refusing to punish a wrong doer? Can an authority be wrong in neglecting to punish someone?

If punishment does not inspire positive change, does it have value?

What inspires your actions more, love or fear of punishment?

Is there anyone in your life whom you have not forgiven? What is preventing you from forgiving?

Neither Virginia nor Faye liked the idea that their mother was dating again. They kept hoping against reason that their mother and father would get back together one day. It had been five years since their parents divorced and their dad was already in another relationship when their mom started seeing Dave. Now they were engaged. It just did not feel right to the two sisters. How could they accept this new man in their lives? How could they forgive their parents? How could they forgive their mother? Both sisters for some unknown reason put the blame for their parent's divorce on their mom.

In time Faye gradually accepted the new situation at home. Dave was a good man and made her mother happy. Although she personally thought that her mother should not have divorced their father, she accepted her mother's decision and made the best of it. In contrast, Virginia held on to her hate. She resolved never to forgive her mother. As for Dave, he would always be the stranger whom her mother brought home. Although she felt isolated and depressed in her own home, she would not bring herself to accept the new domestic situation.

Which sister do you think was happier at home?

Who does hate hurt most: the hater, the hated, or the wider community (friends, family, etc.)?

Do we sometimes hate people more for how "they make us feel rather than any particular thing they might have done?

Is Faye's acceptance of her mother's decision to divorce and remarry the same as the condoning of her mother's decisions?

Does forgiveness mean acceptance of the offending act or acceptance of the person who is forgiven?

Why do you think the two sisters put the blame of their parents' divorce on their mother?

Do you think that generally women are judged more harshly than men? If so, then what do you think causes this?

How important for personal peace is it to acknowledge and accept the reality of one's situation?

How important is it to forgive and move on?

What do you think of the suggestion that the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make a friend of him?

Alison felt that the spontaneity had gone from her husband's life. He used to be so much fun before but now they would hardly even have a normal conversation. "Could Jaime, her husband, have found someone new?" she wondered. There were certainly some disturbing signs which seemed to suggest this. Like the fact that Jaime would find just about any excuse to go out alone, or his unwillingness to have any meaningful communication with Alison. The only passion which now existed between the two was in their quarrels which would invariably start with Alison's accusations of neglect or infidelity, and end in her litany of Jaime's past failings, including his unintentional errors.

To Jaime, Alison was like the window through which he would see only his worst self. Her reluctance to forget his past failings kept him in bondage. To him true freedom was freedom to make mistakes without fear that it may be added to her litany. Because he did not feel free, he was not motivated to express himself and so went his spontaneity.

Should she bring them up in their conversations?

Is it easier to blame a failed relationship on someone else rather than accept one's own failings?

How easy is it to forgive ourselves for our failings?

Has Alison forgiven her husband for past hurts?

Does forgiveness immediately remove all hurts? Is it a start?

What is likely to happen to any relationship if past failings are often brought up in quarrels?

What do you understand by the expression "forgive and forget?"

How important for freedom is freedom to make mistakes?

Do you feel that you have freedom to make mistakes at home, in school, or in relationships with friends?

Can there be freedom without forgiveness?

Activity: Write the names (pseudonyms or symbols may be used) of people who have hurt you in the past and who you have since forgiven. Do the same for those whom you have hurt and have forgiven you. Next do the same for people who you have not yet forgiven. Indicate your reasons for not forgiving. Describe an approach that you may take to begin reconciliation with any one you are yet to forgive. Do the same for a person whom you might have hurt.