50 pages • 1 hour read
Elliot PageA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Pageboy is one of several memoirs about coming out as trans. Compare and contrast this work with another such text, like Darling Days by iO Tillett Wright or Tranny by Laura Jane Grace. How are the writers’ experiences similar, and where do they diverge?
Page opts for a nonlinear narrative in Pageboy. How does this choice interact with the book’s themes? Use examples from the text to support your answer.
Page describes many moments of progress in his journey toward understanding and accepting himself. Choose one of these moments and analyze its role in the narrative, using textual support.
Trans rights have come a long way in recent decades, though there is still a lot of work to be done. Research the history of trans identities and trans rights in North America as they relate to Pageboy.
Consider how your understanding of yourself has evolved over time. Write a personal essay comparing an aspect of your own experiences to the ones Page describes.
The relationships in Pageboy are complex. Choose one of the relationships described in the memoir and examine its evolution over time. Explore how that relationship impacted Page’s journey toward self-discovery.
Trans identities are becoming more widely known and understood. Did you learn anything new from Pageboy? Discuss how this book changed or reinforced your understanding of what it means to be transgender.
Page acknowledges the ways that being visibly queer and trans put him at risk of experiencing discrimination and violence. Why do you think it was important for him to accept and embrace his identity given these risks?
Music plays a big role in Pageboy. Drawing on the many songs sampled in the text, write an analysis of the importance of music in Page’s story.
Pageboy describes intensely personal and often traumatic memories. Why do you think those memories are important to include in this kind of text? Consider the book’s themes and refer to the text in your answer.