Discuss Hangsaman within the larger tradition of Gothic literature. In what ways does this novel communicate with its earliest ancestors in the genre? Cite specific examples to explain your answer.

Compare and contrast Arnold Waite and Arthur Langdon as patriarchal antagonists. How do their methods of manipulation differ, and what does this distinction reveal about the persistence of sexism in society?

The study guide presents Natalie’s psychological fragmentation as a survival mechanism. Is this coping strategy ultimately empowering or tragic? Use her character arc to explain your answer.

Compare and contrast the novel’s two main settings: the Waite family home and the college campus. What does Jackson suggest about the ways these settings resemble or complement each other?

Analyze the characters of Mrs. Waite and Elizabeth Langdon as foils and cautionary figures for Natalie. How do they illustrate Jackson’s critique of women’s experiences in post-war America?

Examine the relationships between Natalie, Rosalind, Elizabeth Langdon, and the duo of Vicki and Anne to discuss the challenges to female solidarity and the resistance to patriarchal hierarchy.

Compare Jackson’s use of the woods in this novel to other writers. What ideas is Jackson trying to convey with the woods, and how does this stand apart from other depictions of the woods in literature?

Analyze the textual evidence that might support the reading of Tony as a real person. What does the ambiguity surrounding Tony’s existence contribute to the novel?