Blood Water Paint

Discuss the repeated phrases “words have power” and “speak your truth.” How do these phrases relate to each other, and in what ways do they differ, specifically when talking about the different characters in the novel?

How does the act of speaking change things within the novel. On page 62, Artemisia says “what’s new is / I’ve given it voice.” How does this statement influence the rest of the novel?

Artemisia was not taught to read or write, but storytelling was one of her central passions. Talk about the differences between storytelling and reading/writing.

Discuss how Judith’s and Susanna’s stories lend understanding to Artemisia’s. Why did Artemisia’s mother choose Judith’s and Susanna’s stories to tell only to her daughter?

During Susanna’s story, Artemisia’s mother says, “If you remember nothing else of Susanna, remember how she speaks her truth. She knows it will cost her something. She’s not aware yet quite how steep the cost will be, but still, she speaks her truth.” (page 36) List the costs that Artemisia must pay when speaking her own truth.

Artemisia’s mother says, “The boys have all the tales they need of brave warriors and army captains.” (page 142) How do Judith, Susanna, and Artemisia become the feminine answer to this statement?

How does the structure of the poems reflect Artemisia’s mindset? Reference the differences between Poems 53–55 and the surrounding poems.

How does Artemisia’s father straddle multiple identities as owner and parent, abuser and champion, artist and fraud? How do these identities change throughout the novel?

Compare and contrast Artemisia’s story with rape culture today. How have things changed? How have they not?

Talk about the feminist tones in the novel. What does the author have to say about the place of women in the world in both 1600s Rome and today?

In Poem 13, Artemisia states, “one can’t truly tell a story / unless they’ve lived it in their heart.” (page 29) Talk about how this is exemplified throughout the novel and then discuss how it relates to the #OwnVoices movement in children’s literature today.

Discuss the setting of the novel. Does it always seem to take place during the 1600s, or are there elements that make it feel current? (specifically referring to page 49)

Artemisia’s mother says that Susanna deserves “a witness, one who says I see you, hear you, I’m better for knowing your story.” (page 175) Does Artemisia get such a witness through her trial?

Compare the lives of Rebecca, Abra, and Tuzia. How do these secondary women characters compare and differ?

Discuss the idea of punishment for crimes committed. In Susanna’s and Judith’s stories, the punishments are severe, while Agostino gets off without many consequences. How do systems of power affect the delivery of justice?

Talk about the idea of possession in the novel. How does it relate to inanimate objects, people, and intangible things like knowledge and virtue?

In Poem 69, Artemisia’s brother quotes a passage from Ovid describing Lucretia’s suicide after being raped as admirable. Given this context, how does this passage and Artemisia’s response inform your understanding of the time period? Compare the brother’s implicated message with his quote in Poem 73: “Don’t mind her / You know how girls can be.”

Talk about the idea of women being “beauty / for consumption.” (page 12) List the different forms of consumption in the novel (i.e. Artemisia’s rape, the consumption of stories, etc.). How do these different forms of consuming relate and differ from one another?