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Book Group Discussion Questions for A Single Witness

1. What does the proverb, ‘[i]t takes seven women to make a single witness’ tell us?
2. How do you think the Anna Maria’s story would have been different if Cattarina or Father Antonio had publicly supported her?
3. How did Cattarina feel about her place in the community?  Why?
4. Are there points in the story where you think the action one of the characters could have changed the outcome?
5. What differences can you discern between the inquisitorial legal system as instituted by the Council of Ten and the adversarial legal system used in common law countries today?
6. In what ways was Anna Maria empowered or disempowered by the Venetian legal system to speak her truth?
7. How do you think Anna Maria found the courage to speak out against abuse in 1757?
8. Who were Anna Maria’s biggest supporters in the story?  Do you think they could have done anything more to help her?
9. Were there any ways in which women at this time could exercise power?
10. Why do you think Anna Maria’s story is important?
11. What do you think has and has not changed in the way that violence against women is managed by society?
12. If you could speak to Anna Maria, what would you say?