The Plot

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of graphic violence, death, and emotional abuse.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your initial reaction to the twist in The Plot when it is revealed that Evan’s original story idea was based on real events? How did this revelation change your perspective on Jake’s ethical dilemma?

2. Korelitz explores the blurry line between inspiration and theft in creative work. How does The Plot compare to Stephen King’s works like Misery or The Dark Half, which similarly feature writers struggling with their craft and the consequences of their literary choices?

3. The novel concludes with Anna successfully getting away with multiple murders while adopting yet another identity. Did you find this ending satisfying or frustrating? What message do you think Korelitz conveys through this resolution?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Jake justifies stealing Evan’s plot by claiming that it’s his “duty” to tell a story that would otherwise go untold. Have you ever found yourself using similar reasoning to justify an ethically questionable decision in your professional or creative life?

2. Throughout the novel, Jake struggles with imposter syndrome despite his eventual success. When have you experienced similar feelings of inadequacy despite external validation? How did you address these feelings?

3. The novel explores how people present different versions of themselves. Anna literally assumes multiple identities, while Jake presents himself as more successful than he is. In what ways do you navigate different versions of yourself in various personal or professional contexts?

4. Jake is particularly susceptible to praise about his writing, which affects his judgment throughout the novel. How has recognition or appreciation of your work influenced your decisions or relationships?

5. The ownership of personal stories emerges as a central theme. Anna believes Jake stole and profited from her life story without her consent. Have you ever felt protective of your personal experiences or stories? What boundaries do you set around sharing them?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The Plot portrays the publishing industry as simultaneously dismissive of plagiarism accusations and protective of successful authors. How do you think your society balances protecting intellectual property with encouraging creative “borrowing” or adaptation?

2. Anna’s traumatic childhood experiences shape her actions throughout her life. How does the novel explore the long-term impacts of family dynamics and parental decisions on children’s development and future choices?

3. The novel depicts MFA programs and writing workshops with a certain skepticism. How do formal education systems in creative fields shape artistic expression in your culture? What does the novel suggest about the value of institutionalized training for writers?

Examine the book’s structure, characters, themes, symbolism, and other literary elements.

1. The Plot contains a novel-within-a-novel structure, with excerpts from Jake’s fictional book Crib interspersed throughout the narrative. How does this technique enhance the overall storytelling and develop the novel’s themes?

2. Korelitz employs dramatic irony extensively—readers know Anna is Talented Tom long before Jake figures it out. What is the effect of this?

3. The novel repeatedly contrasts different approaches to writing—for example, prioritizing plot versus prioritizing prose style. How does the structure and style of The Plot itself comment on this debate?

4. Jake repeatedly misses obvious clues about Anna’s identity, including her cookbook labeled with her real surname. What does Jake’s obliviousness reveal about his character and worldview?

5. How does the symbolism of food—particularly Anna’s soup—develop throughout the novel, and what does it suggest about traditional gender roles and domesticity in Jake and Anna’s relationship?

6. Looking at the three versions of essentially the same story—Evan’s original concept, Jake’s novel Crib, and the actual events of Dianna/Anna’s life—what do the differences among them suggest about the relationship between fiction and reality?

Encourage imaginative interaction with the text.

1. What sequel to The Plot would you most want to read—one following Anna’s new writing career, one focusing on the aftermath of Jake’s death, or one exploring the full text of Evan’s original manuscript? Which aspects of your chosen sequel would develop the themes of the original novel?

2. The movie rights to Crib were sold within the novel’s world. Which actors would you cast as Jake and Anna in a film adaptation of The Plot itself, and which scene would be most powerful on screen?

3. Anna ultimately uses Jake’s own words about storytelling against him in her final monologue. What epitaph would you write for Jake’s grave that captures the irony of his life and death?

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