64 pages • 2 hours read
The Nature of Fragile Things
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Essay Topics
What role do silence and silencing play in the novel? To what extent does Meissner present silence as a state of disempowerment? Refer to at least two characters in your answer.
In what ways does Meissner prioritize female solidarity over romantic love between a man and a woman? Refer to at least three different relationships in your answer.
What traits do heroine Sophie and villain Martin have in common? How does Sophie’s relationship with these traits change as the novel progresses?
How does the San Francisco earthquake exacerbate the human dynamics in the novel? To what extent does it help Sophie leave the past behind and begin again?
How does Logan’s interrogation of Sophie interact with her first-person narrative? To what extent does Logan’s input change how readers respond to Sophie?
How would you describe Meissner’s attitude to motherhood and mothering? In what ways does she challenge the assumption that biological mothers are the best nurturers?
How would you describe Martin Hocking’s character? To what extent does Meissner allow readers to relate to him or understand the motivations behind his actions?
Discuss the symbolism of houses and homes in Meissner’s novel. How do these represent the characters and their development? Compare and contrast at least two dwellings in your answer.
How does Sophie’s past in Ireland influence her present? What techniques does Meissner use to show that Sophie is reliving aspects of her past?
Discuss the symbolism of Sophie’s father’s word book. Why is this document so important for Sophie as a connection with her roots and the establishment of her legacy?
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By Susan Meissner
