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61 pages 2 hours read

Stephanie Dray

The Women of Chateau Lafayette

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Essay Topics

1.

What role does social class play in shaping the opportunities and constraints faced by characters in the novel, and how does it influence their interactions with others?

2.

How does the concept of resistance manifest throughout the novel, and what does it reveal about the characters’ values and beliefs?

3.

How do the power dynamics surrounding names intersect with other forms of privilege or oppression within the story?

4.

What role do acts of everyday heroism play in challenging societal norms and fostering positive change within the communities depicted in the novel?

5.

How do the characters in The Women of Chateau Lafayette navigate the tension between the desire to make a meaningful impact and the recognition of the limitations of individual agency?

6.

In what ways do the female main characters negotiate power dynamics within their marriages, considering the societal expectations and constraints of their respective time periods?

7.

How does the setting of Chavaniac castle serve as a metaphor for the pursuit of freedom and autonomy for the characters in the story?

8.

Consider the many examples of statues in the narrative. What role does honoring a lasting legacy play in the characters’ respective journeys?

9.

How does the novel explore the concept of historical continuity and legacy through Adrienne’s, Beatrice’s, and Marthe’s intertwining timelines?

10.

What insights into the cyclical nature of history, the human experience, and the tendency toward war emerge when observing the similarities between each character’s development?

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