Slow Dance

How does Rowell engage with the idea of unrequited love in Slow Dance? How do Shiloh and Cary cope with the tensions between their desires and their reality over the course of their relationship?

Discuss the narrative setting of Omaha. How does Rowell suggest that living there contributes to the character’s sense of identity? How does the setting help develop the novel’s thematic interest in Finding New Beginnings in Familiar Places?

How does the story explore the tension between friendship and romantic love? How do these blurred lines affect the characters—not only Cary and Shiloh, but the secondary characters as well?

Analyze the role of family in Shiloh and Cary’s life. How do their backgrounds shape them and their views of relationships?

Discuss how Rowell manipulates the structure of the story to juxtapose The Complications of Adult Relationships with the simplicity of teenage love. How do the flashbacks influence the story and character arcs?

Trace the role of the military in Cary’s life. How does Rowell depict its importance to him? How does his experience portray both the challenges and the rewards of choosing a career in military service?

How has becoming a mother shaped Shiloh’s identity as an adult? Trace the impact of Junie and Gus on her character development and her reconnection with Cary.

Consider the motif of music and dancing throughout the story. How does Rowell position dancing as a metaphor for relationships?