57 pages • 1 hour read
David NichollsYou Are Here
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Consider how geography and the landscape help develop the novel’s structure, themes, and characters. In addition, discuss the significance of the recurring titular motif “You Are Here.” Include textual evidence.
Using textual evidence, compare and contrast Marnie and Michael’s personal growth relative to different aspects of loneliness. How do their journeys differ, and what does this say about their characters?
Analyze the ways that You Are Here both conforms to and deviates from traditional romantic narratives, using textual evidence. How does the novel explore the tension between idealism and reality?
Discuss the impact of characters who are largely absent from the novel, such as Natasha, Neil, and Tessa. How do secondary characters help advance the story in You Are Here?
Identify examples of dramatic irony in the novel. Explain how the use of two perspectives maximizes the story’s potential for comedy and irony.
How does the cultural and social landscape of the 21st century influence the characters and events in You Are Here? Consider the impact of technology, the COVID-19 pandemic, and societal expectations.
Examine the novel’s use of humor. How does it balance comedy with the serious themes of the story?
Trace and analyze the use of epigraphs in You Are Here. How do intertextual references enhance the novel’s themes and symbolism?
Explore the significance of the novel’s ending. What message does it convey through Marnie and Michael’s final encounter and the gifts they exchange?
On her second reading of Wuthering Heights, Marnie describes “rolling my eyes more than I did first time” (87). Compare the portrayal of romantic love in Emily Brontë’s novel to that in You Are Here. Why does Wuthering Heights appeal more to Marnie’s younger self?
