The Goal

Elle Kennedy

The Goal

Elle Kennedy
49 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2016

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Essay Topics

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual harassment, emotional abuse, and sexual content.

1.

How does the novel’s use of alternating first-person perspectives between Sabrina and Tucker impact the narrative?

2.

How does Elle Kennedy’s characterization of Tucker reinforce or subvert traditional ideas of masculinity?

3.

The Goal incorporates the popular romance trope of an accidental pregnancy to explore The Ways Parenthood Accelerates Maturation. Compare and contrast Kennedy’s novel to other accidental pregnancy romances like Elsie Silver’s Reckless, Hannah Bonam-Young’s Out on a Limb, or Rufi Thorpe’s Margot’s Got Money Troubles.

4.

What rhetorical devices or literary techniques does Kennedy employ to emphasize The Impact of Economic Insecurity on Identity?

5.

How do the novel’s central conflicts, character archetypes, and thematic concerns align with the conventions of the hockey romance trend. Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.

6.

The new adult genre is often criticized for fetishizing various types of romantic and sexual relationships. How can romance authors navigate depicting a wide range of sexualities while being mindful of authentic representation?

7.

Compare and contrast the ways the pregnancy forces Sabrina and Tucker to re-evaluate their identities and life plans. What differences or similarities emerge?

8.

Compare and contrast Tucker and Sabrina’s journey with the other couples in the Off-Campus series, such as Garrett and Hannah or Grace and Logan? What makes their dynamic and the challenges they face unique within the world Kennedy has built?

9.

Analyze Dean’s accusations against Sabrina during their argument. How does his criticism reflect or subvert gendered expectations of responsibility during pregnancy?

10.

How does the recurring threat posed by Sabrina’s stepfather, Ray, function as a structural device within the novel?

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