One in a Millennial: On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls, and Fitting In

How does the collection’s title relate to Kennedy’s authorial style throughout her essays? What point of view, diction, and tonal registers does she use, and what is their effect? How do these formal elements relate to her overarching authorial stance?

In what ways was Kennedy’s sense of self shaped by the millennial culture? What parts of the culture does she continue to identify with, and why? Which parts does she interrogate and discard, and why?

Explore Kennedy’s collection as a work of feminist literature. How does Kennedy tackle women’s issues and rights throughout her essays? Cite specific arguments, anecdotes, and allusions in your discussion.

What role do media and technology play in the way that Kennedy sees the world, herself, and others as she grows up? Consider, for example, the effects of MTV and AOL on Kennedy’s impressionable psyche.

Compare and contrast Kennedy’s romantic expectations to the reality of her experiences. How and why does Kennedy attribute her expectations to cultural trends of the millennial era? Has her understanding of love and intimacy changed since?

Explore the evolution of Kennedy’s mental health journey. How did sadness, melancholia, and anxiety influence how she saw herself throughout her coming of age? How did the media represent mental health during this era? How has her understanding of her own mental health evolved?

What role do the prologue and introduction sections play in the overarching structure of the collection? How does Kennedy use these sections to establish her voice, goals, and hopes for the enclosed essays? Consider how the book would elapse differently without these sections.

How does female friendship guide Kennedy throughout her childhood, coming of age, and early adulthood? Cite specific examples of Kennedy’s relationships that influenced her in positive ways. What is the significance of these friendships and what assertions does Kennedy make about them?