Stuck Up and Stupid

Are there other parallels you can find between Pride and Prejudice and Stuck Up and Stupid? How do the two books differ?

Identify the protagonist of the novel. Who are the antagonists? Discuss the interaction between the protagonist and the antagonists. Who are the supporting characters? What is their role in the character development of the protagonist?

Describe Pippi Beach. How does the social scene change with the seasons? Contrast the people who live there year-round with those who come there for a holiday.

Discuss the following quote: “Everyone knows that past performance is a good indicator of future behavior” (page 1). How is this especially true for Lydia, Lily’s mother? To which other characters might this quote apply?

Contrast Lydia and her sisters. Explain why Lydia thinks that it’s only fair that she and her two daughters live in Jane’s house at Pippi Beach. Why does Jane allow Lydia to live there rent-free? Debate whether this arrangement enables Lydia.

Lily thinks that Aunt Kitty is the “coolest” of her aunts. Describe “cool” from Lily’s point of view. In what way does Aunt Kitty try to protect Lily?

Explain Lydia’s need for an audience. Cite scenes in the novel when Lydia embarrasses Lily. How do Rosie, Lily’s younger sister, and Kat, her cousin, view Lydia’s behavior?

Contrast Casey Brandon and Dorian Khan. Cite passages that reveal how arrogant and pretentious Dorian is. Discuss Dorian’s serious nature. Why does Casey call Dorian a cynic?

Explain why Dorian thinks that the people of Pippi Beach are kissing up to Casey. How does Casey respond to the attention he receives? Why does Dorian think that Lily looks “suburban” (page 18)? Discuss whether this is a compliment or an insult.

Dorian invites Lily to dinner. Why does she decline? What is Cecilia’s reaction when she realizes Dorian likes Lily? Discuss Dorian’s view of Cecilia.

Who is Wilson Collins? What is his role in the novel? Explain the following quote: “Wilson’s over-the-top manner brought out the loud in everyone else as well” (page 79). How does Lily work hard to avoid Wilson? Why is she so uncomfortable when Wilson gives them gifts?

Describe Alex King. What is Lily’s first impression of him? When does Lily lose favor with Alex?

How does Lydia use poor judgment when she gets involved with Alex? In what way does Lydia change after Alex abuses her? Discuss whether this change is likely to be permanent.

In what way is Juliet, Lily’s cousin, “too trusting and way too gullible” (page 96)?

Lily and Nicola take a gap year and travel to Los Angeles for a month. Who is Stacy Black? How do they meet her? What is Stacy’s impression of the girls? Why is Lily so troubled by Stacy?

Discuss Lily’s reaction when she sees Dorian in Stacy’s office. How does her contempt for Dorian grow while she is in Los Angeles? At what point does Lily rethink her relationship with Dorian?

How does Lily and Nicola’s friendship suffer while they are in Los Angeles? What causes them to lose trust in each other?

Discuss the changes in Lily after her time in Los Angeles. What does she learn about herself? Discuss whether these changes affect her future.

Rate Lydia as a mother. Cite scenes and passages in the novel to support your thoughts.

Explain the title of the novel. At what point is the meaning obvious?

What is the central theme of the novel? Identify secondary themes. How are the themes revealed?

The main character in Pride and Prejudice is Elizabeth Bennet. Over the course of the novel, she learns about the repercussions of hasty judgments. Contrast her with Lily in Stuck Up and Stupid. Which other characters in the books suffer repercussions of hasty judgments?

Define “social hierarchy.” How does social hierarchy contribute to the conflicts in Pride and Prejudice and Stuck Up and Stupid?