According to the novel, what are the challenges of a love across races, or between two people of differing backgrounds? What are the rewards of a relationship that contains differences? How is this kind of love perceived from those inside of it versus those outside of it?

What is the role of race and class in this book? What power does race and class have over characters in the story? From whom do they face ostracism?

Though this book is a work of fiction written in 1998, it depicts many real and significant issues of racism in society. How does If You Come Softly address contemporary conversations about racism? Are there pieces of current events or modern culture that relate to this story?