42 pages • 1 hour read
Gilly MacmillanWhat She Knew
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Appearances can be deceiving. Give examples of several characters who aren’t what they seem. Explore how this might undermine individual or societal goals.
Discuss the symbolic meaning of Ben’s belongings and photographs of him. How do sensory images play a role in individuals’ ability to connect with each other?
How does self-doubt affect Rachel’s quest to recover her son?
Several characters in the novel experience trust issues. Think of a few examples and explain why trust is so difficult for them to achieve.
Jim doesn’t resolve his psychological problems by the end of the story. Consider his family background and choice of profession to offer a theory about why this is so.
Rachel is frequently called a “bad mother.” Why do people believe this is true? Does Rachel agree or disagree with this assessment and why?
Rachel is frequently called a “bad mother.” Why do people believe this is true? Does Rachel agree or disagree with this assessment and why?
Sleep disorders figure as a prominent motif. What role does a lack of sleep play in one’s ability to perceive or uncover the truth?
Explain the meaning of the title, What She Knew.
Compare and contrast the characters of Rachel and Joanna. How are they foils, and how do they each serve to advance the theme of perception and reality?
