Essay Questions

What is the significance of the novel’s title?

The novel, much like the eponymous town, gets its name from a Southern vernacular contraction of the word “sassafras.” Prior to the town being founded, the area was full of sassafras groves; ironically the same trees that gave the town its name were also the first casualties in its journey to modernize as all but one tree was cut down. The tree, apart from being the town’s namesake, is also symbolic of other concepts relevant to the novel.The sassafras tree is a metaphor for the love that grew between Rucker and Ms. Love, a love that over time grew strong and, like a tree, even produced new life. Even the word “sassy” is a play on words to describe the relationship between Rucker and Ms. Love.Their relationship defied social conventions of their community and proved many wrong and as such using a word that meant “bold” or “spirited” would be an appropriate way to describe their union.

What is the significance of Valentines Day in the novel?

The mysterious Ms. Love Simpson’s very name is a play on words: she is a gentle, lovely, and genuinely loving woman who teaches both Rucker and his grandson about the nature of love. Having such a loving person born on a day that celebrated love is only fitting and as such Valentine’s Day becomes symbolic not only of the character’s loving, caring personality but also the love that she gave her husband and her grandson—a love that defied social conventions.

Why does Rucker decide to honor Camp despite his actual resentment of him?

In the close-knit community of Cold Sassy Tree—most places in the American South, actually—family is of central importance, despite the many disagreements that can spring forth from familial ties. This cultural quality is a central theme in the narrative and it comes to the fore most clearly when Will’s uncle Camp commits suicide. Even though Camp has spent nearly his entire life living irresponsibly, needing to be bailed out of trouble constantly by Rucker and getting chewed out by him as a result, Rucker still honors him during his eulogy. He does this, presumably, for two reasons: genuine love for Camp and guilt for having treated him so badly while he was alive.