White Oleander Book Club Questions
10 discussion questions for White Oleander by Janet Fitch.
October 18, 2026
Spoiler warning: some questions touch on how the book ends. Best read after you've finished it.
Discussion questions
- How does Astrid's relationship with her mother, Ingrid, influence her actions and decisions throughout the novel?
- What role does the city of Los Angeles play in shaping Astrid’s experiences and identity?
- Discuss the significance of the white oleander plant in the story. How does it symbolize Ingrid and her impact on Astrid's life?
- Was Ingrid justified in her actions that led to her imprisonment? How does her crime affect your perception of her as a mother?
- How does Astrid's relationship with Claire Richards differ from her relationships with her other foster mothers?
- Analyze the turning point when Astrid decides to confront Ingrid about her past. How does this decision affect their relationship?
- In what ways do Astrid's artistic talents serve as a means of survival and self-expression throughout her foster care journey?
- Do you think Astrid ultimately forgives Ingrid by the end of the novel? Why or why not?
- How does the novel’s structure, with its episodic narrative through different foster homes, affect your understanding of Astrid's character development?
- Have you ever experienced or witnessed a relationship similar to that of Astrid and Ingrid? How did it compare to their dynamic?
These questions were drafted with AI help for book clubs using Lapwing.
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