The First Ladies

Political activism, human rights, anti-violence, and female independence are significant themes of the novel. Select the theme that most resonates with you and, using examples from the text, analyze how Mary and Eleanor, individually or together, advance that theme.

Analyze the novel’s dual points of view. What are the advantages of writing the novel in alternating first-person perspectives? What are the disadvantages? Provide specific reasons supported by textual evidence.

Since Eleanor and Mary are at odds politically (Eleanor is a Democrat and Mary is a Republican), how do they come to find common ground? Using examples from the text, analyze their strategies to find common ground. Finally, assess how their strategies would work (or not work) today.