When we first meet Gemma in The Fallen Star, her entire past is pretty mysterious and she doesn't remember much of her early childhood since her background has been wiped from her memory and hidden from her. Good times. She doesn't remember her mother or how she disappeared under suspicious circumstances; she even has to find her own mother's name by snooping around. When Gemma starts seeing visions of the past, she realizes that these are memories that have been hidden from her—memories of being with her mother and watching her be taken into the Underworld by Stephan. Gulp.
Questions About Memory and the Past
- Why doesn't Gemma remember anything about her early childhood? Why doesn't she remember her mother? How does this affect Gemma?
- Why do you think that Stephan took away Gemma's memories when he took away her emotions? How are memory and emotion connected? How are they different?
- Do you think that Stephan, Marco, and Sophia were right to keep Gemma's past hidden from her? Why or why not?
Chew on This
When Gemma experiences the visions that mark her as a Foreseer, she doesn't so much see the future as she experiences past memories that she's forgotten. The visions offer a portal into these childhood memories that have totally been erased from her mind.
Sophia and Marco refuse to talk about Gemma's past or her parents all throughout her life. This is not because they are just tightlipped people; they need to keep her from those memories because they might spark emotional responses.