Wishful Drinking

Examine Fisher’s use of specific linguistic tools, such as metaphor and personification. How do her stylistic choices contribute to the work of Naming Mental Illness to Defy Stigma?

Explore the role of domestic spaces in Wishful Drinking, such as her personal bedroom and her mother’s closet. How do these settings allow her to explore The Specter of Fame Versus the Authentic Self?

Analyze how Fisher employs the motif of “Hollywood inbreeding” to contextualize her personal struggles. Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Fisher describes herself as “Good Anecdote, Bad Reality” in her relationship with ex-husband, Paul Simon. How does this concept apply to her broader approach to memoir?

How does Fisher’s portrayal of her relationship with her mother, Debbie Reynolds, in Wishful Drinking compare to her fictionalized depiction of their bond in her novel, Postcards from the Edge (1987)?

How does Fisher’s commentary on the Princess Leia merchandise contribute to a broader feminist critique of how women’s bodies and identities are commodified in popular culture?

Compare and contrast Wishful Drinking with another darkly comedic celebrity memoir such as I’m Glad My Mom Died (2022) by Jeanette MCurdy. In what ways does each text engage with the idea of Humor as a Tool for Healing?

How does Fisher’s balance of vulnerability and comedic deflection in her narrative voice reveal the complexities of performing authenticity in confessional writing?