Black Beauty: The autobiography of a horse
Anna Sewell
Book Club
Black Beauty: The autobiography of a horse
8 ways to start a deeper conversation.
Contains spoilers for the entire book.
Discussion topics
Topic 01 of 08
Told by a horse
What does telling the story in Black Beauty's own voice let Anna Sewell do?
Keep the conversation going
- Did it change how you think about animals?
- What does his mother teach him at the start?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.
Discussion topics
What does telling the story in Black Beauty's own voice let Anna Sewell do?
Keep the conversation going
- Did it change how you think about animals?
- What does his mother teach him at the start?
What makes Birtwick Park such a happy home?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of John Manly and young James?
- Why does the family have to leave?
How did Ginger's story affect you?
Keep the conversation going
- How did her past make her what she is?
- How did you feel when Beauty meets her again in London?
What does the bearing rein at Earlshall show about fashion and cruelty?
Keep the conversation going
- Why do the owners insist on it?
- Where do you see the same thing today?
Which of Beauty's owners did you find kindest, and which cruellest?
Keep the conversation going
- Is cruelty more often ignorance than malice?
- What does the book say about responsibility?
What does life with Jerry the cab driver show about London and about working people?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does Jerry refuse to work on Sundays?
- How does Jerry treat his horses compared with other drivers?
How does Joe Green grow from a careless boy to a good groom?
Keep the conversation going
- What did his mistake with Beauty teach him?
- Why does his reappearance at the end matter?
How did you feel about Beauty's final home?
Keep the conversation going
- Is the ending deserved, or simply lucky?
- What did the book want readers to change?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.