The Briar Club

Both Reka and Fliss are newcomers to the US. Describe the different ways in which they adapt to their new land, using textual evidence to support your answer. How might their differing ages contribute to the strategies they use to get by in the US?

Each of the book’s chapters includes recipes. How does the central character in each chapter relate to the food described? Pick two examples and discuss this pattern. What is the narrative effect of the author including this material in the book? How would the narrative change without the recipes?

Each central character transforms their identity throughout the novel. Pick three characters and analyze their character arc and growth. How do their transformations connect to the themes of Navigating American Identities and Societal Restrictions Amid McCarthyism and The Struggle for Freedom?

Arlene is distinct from the other members of the Briar Club. What elements of her temperament or political ideology set her apart? How do her ambitions in life differ from her fellow boarders? Does she undergo any transformation or character growth by the novel’s end? Why or why not?

Some individuals and organizations abuse their authority in the novel. Compare and contrast the behavior of Joseph Stalin and Joe McCarthy. What ideologies do they share? How do they differ? Analyze characters who abuse power in interpersonal relationships. Compare and contrast Barrett, Sydney’s husband, and George, Nora’s ex-boyfriend. What do their characters reveal about the interaction between physical and psychological abuse, gender, and institutions? How do their experiences reflect the broader societal landscape of the mid-20th century US?

Grace doesn’t emerge fully until the very end of the novel, yet her presence is felt throughout. Describe the subtle influence she exerts over her fellow boarders. To what degree does her presence move the plot forward for all the characters? Choose two examples of her influence over others and discuss their significance in the narrative.

McCarthyism is an all-pervasive presence in the novel. How does Arlene’s relationship with Reka mirror the national obsession with the Red Menace? How do the other members of the Briar Club define American identity? How do their beliefs align or subvert dominant cultural or political beliefs of the period? Use textual evidence to ground your analysis.

Each of the central characters must fight to assert their freedom against adverse circumstances or dominant societal expectations. Pick three individuals and discuss the specific forces that are opposing their right to self-determination. How do their struggles echo larger conflicts in the US during the 1950s, particularly around gender and race?