Title and Theme

Explain how the title Blue Nights connects to the books themes. Use examples and quotes from the text.

Privilege

Discuss Didion's choice to bring up the issue of privilege when writing about Quintana's childhood. How does this information frame your view of the characters and the narrative. Does it change how you interpret or understand the story?

Adoption

How does Quintana's identity as an adopted person shape her character? How do John and Joan attempt to frame her understanding of family?

Grief

How does Joan Didion characterize the experience of grief? Use examples from the text to show how she portrays grief in three different ways.

Aging

How does Joan approach aging? How do her perceptions of herself conflict with reality?

Death

How does Joan deal with the inevitability of death? Use three examples from the text.

Failure to Confront Certainties

On page 54, Didion...