Watching You: A Novel

Examine the theme of identity in Watching You. How do the characters grapple with conflicting aspects of their identities? How does this multiplicity challenge traditional notions of a cohesive and consistent self?

Analyze the significance of Melville Heights as a setting. How does the affluent and seemingly idyllic neighborhood affect its residents? What does the setting mean to different characters?

Look at descriptions of characters’ appearance. How do characters shape their appearances, and how do they draw meaning from the appearance of others?

Discuss the portrayal of adulthood in Watching You, considering the role of social norms and cultural fantasies. What expectations are associated with adulthood, and how do characters navigate the distance between expectation and experience? How is true maturity defined?

Discuss the impact of the novel’s narrative form on its themes. How does the use of multiple perspectives and non-linear storytelling reflect the complexities and uncertainties of human experience?

Analyze the tension between perception and reality in the characters’ attempts to understand others in Watching You. How do their assumptions and misperceptions shape their interactions and relationships? Discuss the implications of this tension for their personal growth and self-understanding.

Analyze the portrayal of Rebecca. What clues does the narrative offer to her trauma and plan for revenge? How do her motivations and actions contribute to the development of the text’s themes?

Analyze the portrayal of paranoia in Watching You. How do people confirm or disprove their suspicions? What role does confirmation bias play? (Note: be careful to differentiate between Frances’s mental illness and the suspicions of other characters.)