How to Be Both

Smith puts significant effort into describing the work of Francesco del Cossa. How do the descriptions of his artwork illuminate the character of Francescho, and to what extent do descriptions of specific pieces contribute to the exploration of the theme of The Power of Art to Transform and Preserve?

Select at least three instances where the characters use puns, word games, and/ or translations to communicate. Analyze the meanings and implications of these linguistic devices. What effect do they have on the tone and impact of the narrative?

Analyze the depiction of familial relationships in How to Be Both. How does Smith’s presentation of family contribute the theme of The Impact of Grief on Identity and Outlook?

The 15th century was a period of significant cultural upheaval and development in Italy, a transitional period of “rebirth” that marked the watershed between the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period. Discuss the parallels between this historical period and the context of modern-day England. How do these settings impact the presentation of themes and characters in the novel?

How does Smith explore the dangers of governmental and corporate surveillance in How to Be Both? How do these forms of invasive vision interact with the novel’s more positive conceptions of what it means to see and be seen? Explore these questions with particular reference to the motifs of “camera” and “eyes.”

The two parts of How to Be Both have no set order. In each edition of the book, half the copies have been published with “Camera” as the first part and the other half with “Eyes” as the first part. Discuss how this publishing decision, along with the two-part structure of the novel more generally, contributes to Smith’s exploration of Ambiguity as an Inescapable Feature of Life.

Analyze Smith’s presentation of romance in How to Be Both. Compare and contrast the significant romantic and sexual relationships in the book, and discuss what they reveal about the characters and settings.

Both George’s mother and the character of Francescho use art to undermine unjust systems and leaders; the former through online Subverts and the latter through his fresco at Piazza Schifanoia. How impactful are their respective acts of defiance? Discuss Smith’s presentation of the theme of Everyday Resistance to Injustice in How to Be Both.