Book Club Discussion Questions
Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!
-
This quotation by William Dean Howells, an anti-Imperialist
writer during the early 20th century and friend of Mark Twain, precedes All
Is Vanity: "People are greedy and foolish, and wish to have and to
shine, because having and shining are held up to them by civilization as the
chief good of life." Do you think Howells observation about human
psychology is correct? Furthermore, what do you make of the distinction
between "people" and "civilization"? Are the structures
and contrivance of civilization made by people? Why do you think Schwarz
chose to begin with this quote and how did it influence your reading of the
novel?
-
Is Margaret a sympathetic character? How is she interesting;
how is she flawed? We only hear Lettys direct voice a few times
throughout the novel how well did you get to know her? To whom do you
relate more, Margaret or Letty?
-
Is a child, Margaret thinks "Margaret was admired, but
Peggy, I believed, would be well-liked. The way Letty was." (8) At the
end of the novel, Margaret signs her letter to Judge Brandt "Peggy
Snyder." What do you think motivated her to do so? A desire to be
well-liked or a desire to be more like Letty?
📖
Get the full reading guide
Join BookBrowse free to unlock all 23 discussion questions, author background, themes, and more for All Is Vanity.
Join free — it takes 30 seconds
Already a member? Log in →
- How does the author develop themes of identity and belonging throughout the narrative?
- What role does the setting play in shaping the characters' decisions and relationships?
- Discuss how the ending reframes the events of the story. Were you surprised?
Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Ballantine Books.
Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.