Beautiful Disaster

Discuss Abigail Abernathy’s “separate personalities” in the novel and consider the image of the “good” girl that she tries to project in the beginning. What cultural or material signals does Abby employ to indicate to others that she is a “good” girl? What status or distinction does she expect this image to gain her?

Discuss the novel’s theme that physical passion or romantic love can remove or lessen all obstacles in its path. Use evidence from the novel to argue that this assessment is positive, negative, or problematic.

Discuss America’s role as a foil and confidante to Abby. You may enlarge this discussion to consider how America Mason and Shepley Maddox’s new adult relationship mirrors and contrasts with Abby and Travis’s.