~What was the early life of St. Francis like? What role did his parents play in his education and self-perseption? How is his early life different from the lives of other holy men that we have studied? how is it similar?

~Discuss the "call" of St. Francis. How is his conversion in line with the hagiographic tradition?

~How does the author use hindsight (the fact that Francis later became a saint) to describe his "call" and his early life?

~Does his name Francis or "Frenchman" have a significant meaning?

~What "Christ like" attributes does St. Francis have? How does the author depict Francis as being a "fool for Christ"? (Please include textual references.)

~ Is Francis an ascetic? What ascetic practices does he engage in? 

~ Discuss the last years of Francis` life (stigmata, return to Assisi, and death). Why are they important?

~How is St. Francis similar to the holy fools we discussed earlier? Does he fit into the tradition of holy foolishness? (Challenging authorities, challenging society, foolish acts, freedom from fear, living a solitary life)

~Discuss the origins of the monastic order of St. Francis. 

~ Discuss the figure of this Life`s author. Why did he write this hagiography?

~How was the clothing worn by Francis different from that of the Russian holy
fools?

~How is the Life of St. Francis reminiscent of the tradition of the Desert Fathers?