Wifedom: Mrs. Orwell's Invisible Life

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• How did you feel about the blend of genres in Wifedom, combining biography, fiction, and literary scholarship? Did you find this approach effective in telling Eileen Blair’s story? Why or why not?
• Did Funder’s approach to writing fiction about real events feel respectful and authentic to you? Why or why not? How did these fictionalized scenes contribute to your understanding of Eileen’s character?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Eileen’s domestic labor for Orwell is extensive and undervalued, and Funder highlights the emotional toll this can have. Likewise, her influence on Orwell’s work is undeniable, yet she remains largely invisible in the literary world. Can you relate to the feeling of having your work go unappreciated? How did the novel resonate with your own experiences of invisible labor? 
• Eileen and Orwell’s relationship was marked by love but also deep challenges, such as infidelity and neglect. What did you think of the complexities in their marriage? Did any moments remind you of relationships you have observed or experienced?
• How did you feel about Eileen and Orwell’s decision to have a child, given that both were experiencing serious health issues at the time? Does it matter that the child was adopted rather than conceived by the couple themselves? 
• The concept of “the schism between writer and person” is central to the book. Have you ever struggled to reconcile your admiration for an artist’s work with disapproval of their personal actions? How do you decide whether to separate art from the artist? 

3. Societal and Cultural Context 

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• Eileen’s bravery in Spain is portrayed as pivotal to Orwell’s survival. How do her actions contrast with the traditional gender roles of the time? What does this episode suggest about the erasure of women’s significant contributions in historical accounts? 
• The book discusses how the Republican and Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War aligned with larger global powers. How does this historical context affect your understanding of the political stakes during that era and the motivations of writers and intellectuals who joined the fight? 
• The idea of invisible domestic labor is central to Funder’s critique. Does this remain an issue in contemporary society? How could society better acknowledge and value the domestic contributions that are often taken for granted? 

4. Literary Analysis 

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• Consider Funder’s decision to bookend Wifedom with Eileen’s letter to Norah. Why might Funder have chosen this structure?
• Discuss the character arc of Eileen Blair throughout the book. How does Funder develop Eileen’s character? Did you find her relatable or sympathetic? Are there moments that surprised you or changed how you viewed her? 
• Consider the portrayal of Orwell in Wifedom. What does Funder suggest about the relationship between his genius and his moral failures? How does this portrayal affect the way you interpret his literary works? 
• Examine the book’s setting, from Orwell and Eileen’s cottage in Wallington to the war-torn streets of Spain and London during the Blitz. How do these settings contribute to the tone and atmosphere of the book? How do they shape the characters’ experiences and relationships?
• Explore Funder’s use of metaphor and imagery, such as the references to “dark matter” or the locked path in the moor. How do these symbolic elements reinforce the book’s themes of erasure, tradition, and the hidden labor of women?

5. Creative Engagement 

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Imagine that you are a biographer tasked with writing a detailed account of another historical figure who has been overshadowed or erased. Who would you choose to write about, and how would you approach telling their story to bring their contributions into the spotlight? 
• If you could step into Eileen’s shoes for a day, what moment in her life would you want to experience and why? Would it be her time in Spain, working on propaganda, or a quiet moment of collaboration with Orwell? Discuss what you would hope to learn or understand about her based on that experience.
• Design a visual collage that captures the key themes of Wifedom, such as erasure, invisible labor, love, and sacrifice. What images, symbols, or colors would you include, and how do they represent different aspects of Eileen’s life and legacy? 

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