Mrs. Everything

Which character struck you as the most relatable and well-developed? Why? Analyze this character’s growth and what they needed to learn to complete their character arc and goals.

Analyze the novel as a whole by giving it a review. What did you like and dislike about the novel and why? How effective was Weiner’s writing? Provide specific reasons supported by textual evidence.

What similarities and differences do you see between Jo’s and Bethie’s experiences conforming to societal expectations and your own? How was life in the 1950s different from today? Think of areas like societal pressures for parenthood, gender roles, religious expectations, family bonding, etc. Cite personal examples along with textual evidence.

Consider the characters’ struggles between personal fulfillment and family and societal expectations. How do Jo and Bethie navigate the tension between pursuing their own dreams and fulfilling traditional roles? Cite textual evidence to support your answer.

When Jo is a teen, Sarah asks Jo, “What is wrong with you?” (117), which Jo repeats to Lila near the novel’s end. Explore the idea of generational cycles in the novel. How do patterns of behavior, choices, and attitudes repeat or change across different generations of the Kaufman family?

Discuss the role of media and body image in the novel. Select a character and analyze how they deal with society’s concept of beauty. How do the characters conform to or resist beauty ideals, and what do their actions reveal about them?

Loss, abandonment, and grief are recurring topics in the book. How are these themes established and developed throughout the story? What writing elements does Weiner use to make these themes feel visceral and relevant? Cite textual evidence.

Choose three male characters from the novel and analyze their role. How do they conform to or resist societal norms? How do they support or undermine the women closest to them? What attitudes does Weiner convey about men? Use textual evidence to support your conclusions.