The Best of Me

Does The Best of Me make a statement about the positive or negative qualities of marriage? Using evidence from the text, describe the different kinds of marriage depicted in the story and how they resonate with the novel’s larger themes.

There are frequent references to natural settings in the story. What is the importance of nature in the novel? Consider aspects such as setting, theme, atmosphere, and literary genre.

Frank Ridley is a secondary character who is nevertheless important to the novel’s plot. Discuss his importance to the plot and his role as a foil for Dawson.

How is the concept of time important to the narration of the story? Choose three key passages and provide a close reading of how time functions in the narrative. You may refer to dates, years, seasons, clock time, time of day, and days of the week.

How does The Best of Me reflect and depart from conventional elements of the romance literary genre? Compare the novel to another of Nicholas Sparks’s novels, such as The Notebook, and discuss how the author plays into and against readers’ expectations.

In the story, how is the metaphor of magic used to describe the romantic experiences of the characters?

The Cole family in known for criminality and abuse. Analyze Abee’s and Ted’s relationships with their female partners, Tommy’s relationship with Dawson, and the Cole men’s relationships with each other. What elements of abuse are present, and why does the family perpetuate violence?

Why does Sparks include graphic descriptions of physical violence in the novel? How are they significant to the story’s plot and themes?