1.   What motivates Cleo to act as she does in her attempt to deal with Gina’s addiction?

2.   Does Cleo have a good reason to withhold information from Adam about Gina’s addiction?  Is such a move ever justified in a marriage?

3.   How does Gina’s addiction impact upon the two younger children, Orrie and El?

4.  Adam is a dedicated environmentalist and his work in the Amazon is important for the future of the rain forest.  Can this be used as a rationale for his neglect of his family?  Can you call to mind instances where a woman’s or a man’s career has interfered with building strong family ties?

5.   Does El evince a typical daughter’s teen-age rebellion against her mother or does she have a justifiable cause to be hostile towards Cleo?

6.   What motivates her El to her father’s side when Cleo’s and Adam’s marriage begins to fall apart?

7.   How does Adam’s interest in Cleo’s career as an artist and Orrie’s desire to become a chef impact upon his family?

8.   When Gina dies in the Amazon, Adam is devastated.  Yet, Cleo cannot forgive him.  What incident or series of incidents lead up to the hardening of Cleo’s feelings towards her husband?

9.   As the family begins to disintegrate, Cleo is drawn to Gus, Adam’s estranged cousin.  How does Marks show that ambition and the need for recognition also drive Cleo and that she is not that different from Adam in this regard?

10.  After Adam’s death El dedicates herself to finding and bringing justice the person responsible.  She draws Orrie into her plan and together they work out a scheme that results in Gus’s death and Cleo’s paralysis. Is there ever justification for the form of justice El designs to carry out her mission?

11.  In the final scenes in Ground Cover  El and Cleo reach a deep understanding of each of their needs.  Does this redemption and reconciliation ring true to life?  How important is it to come to terms with past grievances in order to live a fuller and better-integrated life?

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