Bad Mormon

Bad Mormon received heavy criticism on its release from Mormon readers who were offended by Gay’s description of sacred ceremonies, such as the endowment and marriage ceremonies. How does Gay balance her criticism of the Mormon church with her own memories of these events? How does her decision to share these details contribute to the memoir’s thematic engagement with The Importance of Self-Determination?

Gay is best known for her appearances on the reality television series The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City—an experience that colors her understanding of her life. How did her early life and missionary work prepare her for a life on reality television?

Gay never mentions the names of her parents or siblings in her memoir, although she shares names of friends and castmates. Why might this beThroughout the memoir, Gay offers harsh criticisms of The Strictly Prescribed Roles for Women and Girls Within the Mormon Faith. However, she also identifies moments where her work with the Church empowered her. How does she reconcile this tension?? How does this omission shape the reader’s experience of her story?

Throughout the memoir, Gay offers harsh criticisms of The Strictly Prescribed Roles for Women and Girls Within the Mormon Faith. However, she also identifies moments where her work with the Church empowered her. How does she reconcile this tension?

Explore Gay’s relationship to motherhood and the Mormon church. How did becoming a mother and raising her daughters in the Church influence her faith?

Gay shares details of many ceremonies held sacred in the Mormon church, and ends the memoir comparing the Church to reality TV fandom. Compare and contrast the book’s reception among a Mormon audience with that of her fellow ex-Mormons.

Analyze Gay’s relationship to sex and sexuality in the memoir. How did her sexuality influence her decision to get married? How did she navigate her sexuality after her divorce? How does her sexuality inform the memoir’s thematic interest in Expectation Versus Reality in Mormon Marriage?

Explain Gay’s description of Mormonism as an all-American religion. What elements of the faith are uniquely American in her eyes? Do you agree with her assessment? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.