Brantford Public Library's Online Book Club discussion

Jane decides to tell Mary Ella the truth about her sterilization. This causes Mary Ella a great deal of heart ache.

Jane's intentions were good but do you think it was a good call on her part to reveal this information? Did the truth resolve anything for Mary Ella?

Jane should not have told Mary Ella, it was not her case and it occurred before she had been hired. What came before is not her concern; of course unless it's an ongoing issue that would have to be addressed-- like Lita Jordan, thank goodness she was sterilized. As for Mary Ella, it just causes her intense sorrow knowing she'll never have another child. Which in the end was too much for her when William was taken away to foster care.

It seemed that Jane had good intentions but did she tell Mary Ella because she really believed it was best for her to know or did she do it to unburden her own heart which was so troubled by the knowledge of it? If I was in Mary Ella's shoes I would want to know what had been done to me for sure, but the situation with Mary Ella was different. A terrible thing had been done to her but the damage was done and she was oblivious to it. Then she is told the truth and her entire world came crashing down. It's hard to know for sure if that was best or not.

The original case worker should have told her, or her Grandmother who obviously gave permission. It's sad no matter which way you look at it and so unfortunate because the news of this helps to send Mary Ella over the edge. Jane is such a good person, her prime directive is to help people, but, the system wants everything on their terms only. This is the undoing of Jane.

I think Jane always had good intentions, she just seemed to be unaware of the possible consequences of her actions. I think the truth should have come from the Grandmother who ultimately made the decision for Mary Ella.

I 'm NOT happy with that Grandmother, not allowing her family to choose for themselves.

Karen wrote: "I 'm NOT happy with that Grandmother, not allowing her family to choose for themselves."

That grandmother was an odd character. I couldn't figure her out. I kept waiting for some redeeming quality to show but never did see much. I think she was just so warn out by life and raising her grandchildren and then her great grandchildren just did her in.

You are probably right, Anna. She just couldn't see herself with more babies to raise, where was the money to come from etc. plus her health was deteriorating.