Jar of Hearts

How does the book’s nonlinear structure contribute to pacing and suspense? What other functions does it serve?

How does the character of Roberta Heller, Walter “Walt” Shaw’s neighbor, reflect Geo’s external conflict with society after her release from prison?

Dominic accuses Geo of only seeing what she wanted to see when she chose Mark and Nori Kent to be his adoptive parents—a comment with clear relevance to his demands that she “see” him and his gouging out of his victims’ eyes. How else does the novel employ sight imagery to explore character, theme, etc.?

The story is told in deep third person, meaning the narrative voice adopts the perspective of the character in focus, either Geo or Kaiser. How does this technique influence plot, characterization, and tension within the novel?

In Chapter 9, Kaiser observes that “nobody’s a better liar than Georgina Shaw” (83). In Chapter 14, a description of Geo’s interactions with Cat contradicts this: “Cat can’t tolerate bullshit, and Geo can’t dish it, anyway” (125). What do these differing characterizations of Geo reveal about her (or about the person doing the observing)? What point might the novel be making about perception and character, and how does this relate to its themes?

After her release from prison, Geo says that she “has all the freedom in the world and can’t enjoy it,” which she calls “the ultimate punishment” (200). What does she mean by this? Discuss which aspects of each setting contribute to this observation and how the implications relate to the book’s themes.

Why does Geo consider her pregnancy “the culmination of all her secrets, in physical form” (263)? How does this metaphor apply to Geo’s conflicts in the dramatic present?

What does the novel say about the nature of criminality? Discuss what literary techniques and craft elements are used to convey this message, providing specific examples.