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What are some good discussion questions for the book My Cousin Rachel?

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Good discussion questions for My Cousin Rachel include examining the impact of the setting on characters, comparing Ambrose's interactions and tone in his letters, and exploring Philip and Rachel's relationship in terms of gender roles and sexuality. Consider Rachel's sexuality against period stereotypes and whether her actions towards Philip were calculated or naive. Other questions involve the reliability of Philip as a narrator, the novel's treatment of feminism, and how the story might differ if told from Rachel's perspective.

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How does the setting impact the characters in the novel? Consider the atmosphere of the estate before Ambrose leaves for Florence, the atmosphere while Ambrose is away, and the atmosphere when Rachel arrives.

Compare and contrast how Ambrose interacts with Philip at the estate with how his letters from Florence progress. What are some notable differences in his tone? How does the author’s word choice indicate a shift in Ambrose?

In what way do you think that Philip and Rachel’s relationship is a statement about gender roles and the power of sex/sexuality?

How does Rachel’s sexuality compare and contrast with gender stereotypes of the time period? What does this lead you to believe that du Maurier is attempting to tell us about female sexuality?

Philip claims that Rachel “had no knowledge of what she did to [him].” Do you think that she was calculating in her actions towards Philip, or do you think that she was innocent and naive? Explain why.

How does Philip’s lack of female contact throughout his upbringing influence his relationship with Rachel?

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Here are some to help get you started:

Who represents good and who represents evil in this book?

How does the novel deal with feminism?  Is Rachel feministic?

How reliable is Phillip as a narrator?

Is financial security worth risking  happiness?

What is Rachel's true nature?

What is the nature of Phillip and Ambrose's relationship?

How would the story have been different if told from Rachel's point of view?

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