The Paper Palace

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• How did the dual timeline structure affect your reading experience?
• What was your reaction to the ambiguous ending? How did you interpret Elle’s final action of removing her wedding ring?
• Did you find the Cape Cod setting atmospheric and engaging? 

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Elle has a complicated relationship with her mother yet internalizes many of Wallace’s lessons. What is a lesson from a family member that you internalized?
• Reflect on Elle’s life, which is built around secrecy. Have you ever felt compelled to keep a secret to protect yourself or others?
• Are there family patterns or legacies you’ve worked to change or leave behind? What does healing from these unhealthy patterns do for a person?
• How do you balance the expectations you have for yourself with the commitments you’ve made to others?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• How does Elle’s experience of abuse influence her sense of self and her relationships?
• In what ways does Elle’s journey reflect cultural shifts in how people confront or repress personal trauma? How does Elle’s experience reflect cycles of female blame that seek to silence women and protect their abusers?
• Could the novel be viewed as a critique of societal expectations around female desire and sexuality, especially within the confines of marriage? How do Elle’s perspectives on sex and desire evolve?
• Explore how the book’s themes resonate with today’s world.

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• How does the Cape Cod home function almost as a character in the story? How does the author develop a sense of place and the house as a formative force on the family?
• What does Jonas symbolize for Elle beyond just her attraction to him?
• How does Wallace contribute to Elle’s understanding of love and relationships? What kind of influence does she have on her daughter?
• How does the title symbolize motifs of fragility, decay, and impermanence? 
• What does water symbolize in the novel?
• Through Elle’s experience, how does the novel address the theme of the conflict between duty and desire?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you could ask Elle one question to help you better understand her choices, what would it be?
• How did the Paper Palace appear in your mind? Describe how you pictured the dilapidated structure and the areas around it.
• How would this story translate into a movie? Who would play the lead roles of Elle, Conrad, Peter, and Jonas? What would be the challenges in bringing this story to life on screen?

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