Heart Berries

What is “Indian Sickness” and how does it relate to Mailhot’s hospitalization and struggle with her mental illness?

Mailhot writes extensively about her mother. How does her relationship with her own mother shape her ideas of motherhood?

On page 70, Mailhot writes about her mother’s belief that we cannot own anything in our lifetime. How does this relate to Mailhot’s perspective on love, motherhood, and art?

Mailhot writes many of these essays to her lover, Casey, referring to him as “you.” Why does she use the second person, and what is the effect? 

Much of this book is about love and agency—Mailhot seeks love but loses her agency when she finds it. How does Mailhot regain her agency in these essays, both by writing and in her recorded actions?

How is violence depicted in this collection? What assumptions does Mailhot make about violence?

Mailhot struggles to compete with the White women Casey dates and admires. How does their Whiteness play into her perception of herself, and the longevity of her love?

How does Mailhot hide herself, and why? In what spaces can she fully embrace herself?