When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young
entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful,
brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is
startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic
reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to
resist Ana's quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits
he wants her, too-but on his own terms.
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana
hesitates. For all the trappings of success-his multinational
businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family-Grey is a man
tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the
couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana
discovers Christian Grey's secrets and explores her own dark
desires.
Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a
tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you
forever.
This book is intended for mature audiences.
1. The voice of Ana's "inner goddess" is a distinct presence
throughout the novel. Does it have a positive or negative influence
on Ana? Is the inner goddess simply her subconscious? Or does it
represent something else? Does every woman have an inner
goddess?
2. How important is music in Fifty Shades of
Grey? What does Christian's appreciation of music-for all
genres-say about him? [Visit 50Shades.com for playlists created by
the author and inspired by the Fifty Shades trilogy.]
3. When they first meet, Christian tells Ana that he follows a
guiding principal from Andrew Carnegie: "A man who acquires the
ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession
of anything else to which he is justly entitled." What insight does
this provide into his character? And does it foreshadow events in
the novel?
4. Is Ana's relationship with Christian empowering? Do you think
it's in any way demeaning?
5. If you've read Tess of the d'Urbervilles, how
does Ana's story parallel Tess's? Ana describes Tess as a woman "in
the wrong place at the wrong time in the wrong century." Is Ana
able to exert more control over her own life and act as an
independent woman in ways that Tess could not?
6. What is the basis of Ana's attraction to Christian? Is there
an allure in the fact that beneath his ultra-confident exterior
Christian is a damaged and vulnerable soul? Is Ana motivated by a
desire to "fix" him or save him from his personal demons? Have you
ever been in a relationship like this?
7. Why do you think this story has captivated so many readers?
Is it the fairy tale aspect of the story? Do women really just want
a man who will sweep them off their feet and take control in the
bedroom? If you agree, why do you think that's true?
8. Would you ever sign a contract like the one Christian
presents to Ana?
9. Is Ana's innocence and naiveté believable? Is Christian just
a fictitious ideal with his perfect body ("the Adonis, divinely
formed"), intelligence, and sexual prowess? How does José compare?
What archetype does he represent? What about Elliott?
10. What do you think of the ending? Does Ana stand up for
herself? Is the situation they find themselves in-where Ana
realizes she can't give Christian what he needs and he admits he
can't love her the way she wants-something you can relate to?
