Moon Tiger

Is Moon Tiger a feminist novel? Consider not only the characters and plot events but also the novel’s structure and narrative style.

Why does Claudia refer to her time with Tom in Egypt as the “core” of her life? How does the structure of the novel reinforce or conflict with that statement?

Discuss the role of the natural world in Moon Tiger. How does Lively use the natural landscape to establish mood and further characterization in the novel?

Consider how Lively approaches mortality in Moon Tiger. What does the novel say about the inevitability of death and the concept of legacy?

How does Moon Tiger blur the lines between the genres of autobiography, historical non-fiction, and fiction?

Consider how Lively approaches language in the novel. What does the novel say about how words and language define our reality? How does this influence relate to the shaping of global history? How does it relate to personal history?

What does Moon Tiger say about war? Consider the impact of war on the characters’ lives as well as the historical patterns in what Claudia calls “the century of war” (66).

Analyze the literary devices that Lively uses to differentiate the perspectives of two characters during flashbacks and/or diary entries. Discuss how those devices enhance characterization. Select from the following characters: Lisa, Gordon, Jasper, and Tom.