1. T. S. Eliot called The Moonstone "the first and the best of
English detective novels." What classic elements of mystery are
present in this story, and how has the genre of detective fiction
evolved from the 1860s to the present day?
2. Discuss Collins's employment of first-hand accounts to tell
the story of The Moonstone. What does each narrator bring to the
story, and how skillful is the author in shifting from comedy to
pathos, romance to suspense? Is it an effective method of
storytelling?
3. According to his 1868 preface, Collins's stated objective was
to trace the influence of character on circumstances. Whose
character exerts the strongest influence on the plot of this novel,
and how?
4. Drawing on the Prologue, as well as the opinions expressed by
characters including Mr. Betteredge and Mr. Murthwaite, what may be
determined about Collins's views on British imperialism? Does he
support or defy racial stereotypes in his depiction of the trio of
Brahmins?
5. When Penelope suggests to her father that Rosanna Spearman
has fallen in love with Franklin Blake, Betteredge bursts out
laughing at the "absurdity" of it. What additional examples of
class distinctions are evident in The Moonstone?
6. Dorothy L. Sayers, the acclaimed detective novelist, noted
that, for his time, Collins was "genuinely feminist" in his
treatment of women. Do you agree?
7. Discuss the role that opium plays in The Moonstone. Is it a
believable plot device? Does the fact that the author created the
story while under the influence of laudanum lend credibility to his
depiction of its effects?
8. Charles Dickens, longtime friend and mentor to Wilkie
Collins, edited and published The Moonstone in its initial
serialized form. What do these two writers have in common in terms
of style, structure, and characterization? How do they differ?
From the Trade Paperback edition.