Fifty Shades of Grey

How does BDSM represent Ana’s struggle to mediate her fear of pain and her desire to feel alive? In what other ways does Ana experience conflict between pain and pleasure or fear and excitement? How do these tensions contribute to her character growth and development?

Fifty Shades of Grey sold millions of copies even though the book has received substantial criticism for several reasons. What is it about the book that’s made it so popular, especially among women?

What does Ana learn about herself and the world through her relationship with Christian? Would she have developed similar understandings in a relationship with José? Why or why not?

A dominant/submissive dynamic is the only kind of relationship Christian will accept. Why is this? How does he use BDSM to avoid genuine intimacy?

The BDSM community criticized James’s depiction of BDSM, arguing that the book stigmatizes and pathologizes the lifestyle. How does Christian’s conduct move beyond the boundaries of BDSM into toxic or even abusive behavior?

How does James reconcile emotional and physical pain in Ana and Christian’s story? Where are the two kinds of pain indivisible, and where do they remain separate?

Christian had a difficult childhood and a controversial introduction to sex. What connections can be made between his past and his current relationship to love and sex?

How do Ana’s other relationships influence her relationship with Christian? Consider Kate, José, and Ana’s mother.