Gone Girl

Why does Nick Dunne stay with Amy at the end of the novel? Explain this choice in terms of his identity and how his character grows, or doesn’t grow, during the novel.

What is wrong with Amy Dunne? Why don’t her parents, both psychologists, see her clearly? Explain Amy’s character in terms of her identity, including the dissonance between how she sees herself and how others see her.

What does the motif of the Mississippi river symbolize in the novel? Explain the meaning, or multiple meanings, and use at least two different characters’ views of the river to help you explain the river’s significance throughout the novel.

Who is a better writer, Nick or Amy Dunne? Why? Why do you think that the author uses two writers as her narrators? What effect does this have on the story? Explain.

Who is the real hero or protagonist of the novel?

What is Go’s role in the story? How does Nick’s relationship with Go help explain or undermine Nick’s relationships with other women in the story, for example, Andie? Is Go a likeable character?

Choose one theme and trace it throughout the novel. What is the significance of the theme and how does it inform the meaning of the novel?

What do you think that Flynn is trying to say about marriage? Please use symbols in the story, such as the Punch and Judy puppets, to help explicate your answer.