Hidden identity
“In school he and Marianne affect not to know each other.” (p. 2)
Question: Why do Connell and Marianne hide their relationship at school?
Because Connell cares about popularity and his social status.
“Everybody likes him.” (p.34)
Question: How does popularity influence Connell’s identity?
He feels pressure to act “normal” and fit in.
“Lately he's consumed by a sense that he is in fact two separate people.” (p.27)
Question: What conflict is Connell experiencing?
He struggles between his public and private identity.
“Being alone with her is like opening a door away from normal life.” (p.6)
Question: How does Marianne affect Connell?
She allows him to be more honest and vulnerable.
“Nothing Connell did there seemed to stay with him.” (p. 160)
Question: What does this show about Connell’s feeling while travelling?
He feels disconnected from his experiences.
“Don’t go telling people in school about this, okay?” (p. 16)
Question: Why is secrecy important to Connell?
He is afraid of being judged by others.
“Their social lives are arranged hierarchically.”(p.31)
Question: What does this tell about school life?
Popularity controls social identity and status.
“Helen has given Connell a new way to live.” (p. 160)
Question: How does Helen change Connell’s identity?
She makes him feel more normal, loved, and socially accepted.
“I know you probably hate me, but you're the only person who actually talks to me.” (p.6)
Question: What does this show about Marianne’s relationships?
She feels lonely and disconnected from others.
“He finds himself rushing to the end of the conversation so they can hang up”
Question: Why does Connell feel awkward even when talking to Helen?
He feels pressure to say and do the right things.
“If people found out what he has been doing with Marianne, in secret, while ignoring her every day in school, his life would be over.” (p. 28)
Question: Why does Connell fear exposure?
He fears losing his social reputation.
“She's from a good family and Connell is from a bad one.” (p.34)
Question: How does class affect identity in the novel?
Society judges people based on family background.
“To be known as her boyfriend plants him firmly in the social world,” (p. 161)
Question: What does being Helen’s boyfriend do for Connell?
It gives him status and makes him feel like an acceptable person.
“I like you so much.” (p.26)
Question: Why is this important for Connell’s identity?
Marianne makes him feel valued and understood.
“He wanted to be with Helen, and with his friends, not with these people he had never met before and who knew nothing about him.” (p. 165)
Question: What does this reveal about Connell at Trinity?
He still feels out of place in elite academic/social settings.
“With his friends he acts normal.” (p.28)
Question: Why does Connell behave differently around his friends?
He wants social acceptance.
“People resent that about her.” (p.6)
Question: Why do people dislike Marianne?
She refuses to follow social expectations.
“You act different in class, you're not really like that.” (p.31)
Question: What does Connell realize about Marianne?
She behaves differently depending on the situation.
“Anything unsaid is an unwelcome interruption between them.” (p.26)
Question: What makes Marianne and Connell’s relationship unique?
They share emotional honesty and understanding.
“Connell has never really known whether to believe that about himself, and he still doesn't know.” (p. 165)
Question: What is Connell unsure about?
Whether he is truly special or deserving.
“Their secret weighed inside her body pleasurably.” (p.17)
Question: How does secrecy affect Marianne’s identity?
It makes her feel emotionally connected to Connell.
“Rachel is the most popular girl in school.” (p.31)
Question: What does Rachel represent in the novel?
The ideal social identity and popularity.
“He can have the respect of someone like Marianne and also be well liked in school.” (p.29)
Question: What impossible balance is Connell trying to maintain?
Keeping both his authentic and social identity.
“I would never pretend not to know you, Connell.” (p.28)
Question: What does this reveal about Marianne’s identity?
She values honesty over social approval.
"I don't know why I can't be like normal people.”
Question: What does this show about Marianne’s identity?
She feels fundamentally different and unlovable.