The Overnight Guest

Both Ethan and Jackson suffer severe scrutiny because of their possible involvement in the crime. Compare and contrast Ethan and Jackson, both as characters and as suspects. What do they have, or not have, that differentiates them from Randy Cutter, the actual culprit?

How is parenthood depicted in the novel? Is there a difference between how motherhood and fatherhood are shown? Based on these depictions, what argument is Gudenkauf making about parenthood?

It is ultimately revealed that the August 2000 sections of the text are excerpts of Wylie’s book. What evidence, both in and outside of these chapters, foreshadows this revelation? Identify at least three clues in your response.

How does guilt function within The Overnight Guest? Consider which characters are and are not guilty versus which characters do and do not feel guilty. Connect your answer to the theme of Entrapment and Freedom, taking into consideration how guilt affects the characters differently.

Why are the little girl’s/young Josie’s sections not given a time designation when the other parts of the novel are? How does this choice by the author contribute to the sense of entrapment in these scenes?

Although the events of the present timeline only take place over one night, Wylie experiences remarkable growth. Compare who Wylie begins the novel as to who she ends the novel as. What causes this shift?

Wylie struggles with communication, both with her loved ones and with strangers. Using at least three moments from the text, explore her difficulty communicating. What does this struggle say about her as a person?

Discuss the importance of names in the novel. How do names evolve? What names hold importance?