The Perfect Child

Analyze how Janie’s early relationship with her mother affected future relationships with other mother figures. Why is a child’s relationship with their primary caregiver so important? Use research and textual examples to support your analysis.

Evaluate the role that social workers, therapists, and other professionals play in the story. How do their successes and failures affect Janie’s integration into the Bauer family? Does the novel critique or support the systems designed to address cases of trauma and abuse?

Discuss the novel’s exploration of postpartum depression and the emotional toll of motherhood through Hannah. How do her struggles shape her relationship with Janie and Christopher, and what do her experiences reflect about broader societal attitudes toward mental health and parenting?

Explore the novel’s portrayal of the nature versus nurture debate through Janie’s character. To what extent do Janie’s behaviors stem from her traumatic past versus inherent traits? Analyze how the novel navigates this complex question and what it suggests about the power and limits of rehabilitation and love.

Consider Christopher’s role in the Bauer family’s downfall in light of the novel’s key themes. Why does Christopher put Janie before Hannah? Why is he the only person who accepts and loves Janie as she is? How do his choices affect the family’s overall dynamic and long-term outcome?

Analyze the use of perspective in The Perfect Child. How do the various points of view influence the reader’s understanding of the text and create tension and ambiguity? Examine how this narrative style affects the reader’s judgment of Janie’s actions and the choices of the adults around her.

How does The Desire to Be a Parent motivate Hannah and Christopher’s actions throughout the story? Why do Hannah and Christopher make the initial decision to adopt Janie, and why does Hannah later become so intensely protective of Cole?

Hannah and Christopher’s relationship is at the forefront of their lives when the story begins. How does Janie impact their marriage? How do their differing approaches to parenting and coping with her behavior affect their relationship, both with each other and with their children?