All the Dangerous Things

How is parenthood presented in the story? How does motherhood in particular affect Isabelle’s mindset as an adult?

Compare and contrast Isabelle’s and Mason’s fathers. What roles do blame and guilt play in their narratives?

How does Isabelle’s perspective impact the way the story is told and understood? When are readers meant to doubt her reliability as a narrator, and to what end? Identify at least three moments in the novel in which her perspective causes doubt, and explore the purpose of this doubt.

Choose one type of trauma presented in the novel and analyze how it impacts the character involved.

The novel features both internal and external conflicts. Identify two conflicts in the novel, and compare and contrast them.

How do characters trap themselves in a particular narrative or version of reality? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Analyze Isabelle’s relationship with sleep and coffee.

In what ways is Valerie both perpetuator and victim? Do you agree or disagree with Isabelle’s handling of her death? Why?