The Year of Magical Thinking

How have societal views and approaches to grief and mourning shifted over time? In what ways are these shifts healthy or detrimental to mental health?

Didion states that it is difficult for her to think of herself as a widow, just as it was difficult for her to think of herself as a wife or mother. What role does identity play in the memoir? How is Didion’s identity tied to Dunne’s?

What provides Didion comfort in the year following her husband’s death? How might these differ from traditional comforts? What can be gleaned from Didion’s text about providing grieving individuals with support?

How does Didion’s magical thinking evolve throughout the book? Did magical thinking help or harm Didion in the grieving process?

What is the relationship between the rational and irrational mind? How does each influence Didion’s growth after her husband’s death?

What is the role of memory in the book? How does Didion interweave memories to contribute to the meaning of the text?

Describe the role of meaning and meaninglessness in the text. Does grief have meaning? Why or why not?

What foreshadowing suggested that Dunne would die? Why did Didion see these occurrences as signs? What makes something a sign rather than a coincidence?