• Atwood chose the word “alias” for the title of this work with a deliberate purpose. Re-read the novel and identify the various ways Grace conceals her identity or adopts an alias. While using Mary Whitney is the most apparent alias, there are more subtle examples as well. Write a paper discussing how Grace’s use of aliases either aids or complicates her situation.

• Dr. Simon Jordan attempted to psychoanalyze Grace by encouraging her to explore her subconscious through objects he believed might stimulate their conversations. List all the items, such as the apple and the radish, that Dr. Jordan used, and write a brief essay on each, explaining the metaphors Dr. Jordan might have intended. For instance, the apple is often linked to Eve and the Garden of Eden. What might Dr. Jordan have been implying with each object?

• Throughout the story, Grace shares several dreams with the readers, one of which is frequently repeated. Locate these dreams and write your interpretations of their possible meanings. Don’t worry about being strictly factual; let your ideas flow naturally, similar to how you might interpret your own dreams.

• Research modern criminology techniques, then imagine you are the lead detective investigating the murders of Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery. Write a report detailing your findings. Feel free to be creative, but base your conclusions on current technology. Provide sufficient evidence to argue that Grace Marks was either innocent or guilty.

• Spiritualism was very popular during the 1800s and early 1900s. Investigate this practice. What did it involve? Who were some of its most prominent followers? How did it influence popular culture? Can you identify any remnants of spiritualism in today’s culture?

• Collect news reports of sensational modern murders, such as the O. J. Simpson case. Atwood illustrates how journalists in Grace Marks’s era often exaggerated details. Do you think this still occurs today? If so, how? Present various versions of a single event to highlight discrepancies in the reporting.