56 pages • 1 hour read
The Third Wife
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Essay Topics
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of substance use, suicidal ideation, emotional abuse, death, and cursing.
How does the novel’s dual-timeline structure shape Adrian’s character arc and contribute to the novel’s thematic exploration of Grief as a Catalyst for Change?
Examine the symbolic relationship between the “Board of Harmony” and the “Dear Bitch” e-mails. How do these two objects, one representing public order and the other private animosity, work together to reinforce the novel’s themes?
The novel presents Adrian as a “human moth” and a “love addict.” Analyze how The Third Wife uses Adrian’s character to critique a specific form of masculinity rooted in serial monogamy and the avoidance of emotional responsibility. Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.
