The Housemaid is Watching

Suburban life plays a crucial role in the plot’s development. Explore how the setting of suburban Long Island influences the narrative and the ways that McFadden compares and contrasts suburbia with the city.

Examine Ada’s character development through the lens of the hero’s journey. How does she adhere to the elements of the hero’s journey, and how does she diverge from heroic norms?

Investigate the role “watching” plays throughout the plot’s development. Who is watching and who is watched? What role does “watching” play in the mystery’s unfurling?

Consider the entirety of The Housemaid series. Track Millie’s character development and changes throughout the three books and examine how those changes play a role in The Housemaid Is Watching.

How does McFadden’s exploration of the idea of “boys will be boys” function within the novel? Consider examples of violent masculine behavior in Enzo, Nico, Jonathan, and the boys at Ada’s school (Gabe and Hunter).

Besides the red herrings, what other mystery tropes does McFadden engage with? How does she utilize those tropes? Does she use them traditionally, or does she subvert them? What role do they play within the novel?

How does McFadden’s use of first-person point of view influence the construction of The Housemaid Is Watching? How would the novel be different if she used third-person narration? What rhetorical effect does the switching between Millie, Ada, and Martha’s points of view have?

Discuss the role of ethics and morality in The Housemaid series, especially as it relates to justification for acts of violence.