The conclusion of Lone Women leaves the reader with the notion that “history is simple, but the past is complicated” (125). In what ways does the novel highlight the complicated aspects of the past? How does it illustrate the difference between “history” and “the past?”

How does this novel explore the idea of redemption and second chances? Which characters deserve a second chance, and what determines who is worthy of redemption? Analyze the actions of 2-3 characters as specific examples to support your analysis.

The experiences of racial minorities in the American West are a central theme in Lone Women. How does the novel explore the coalition between various marginalized people on the US frontier? Within the context of the novel, how do members of such groups both compete with and collaborate with one another?