Behind Closed Doors

At times, Grace calls Jack a sociopath, at others a psychopath. What are the differences between those two designations? The similarities? How does Jack display these qualities? Where does he diverge from the clinical diagnoses?

Behind Closed Doors presents a dichotomy between women who work and those who don’t. How does the book represent working mothers Diane and Esther? How does it represent Grace? What are Diane and Esther’s attitudes toward Grace?

Discuss the symbolism of the perfect house versus the basement underneath.

One of the ways that Jack convinces all those around him that he is a normal husband is by persuading hotel officials, the police, and doctors that Grace is the crazy one. What methods does he use to do this? Does Grace fall victim to the stereotype of the madwoman?

Explore irony in Behind Closed Doors. What ironic dynamics do you find in and among the characters?

Jack uses the power of fear to dominate Grace. What are power dynamics? How can fear play into them? Does having power involve instilling some kind of fear in those around you?

Agatha Christie mysteries play a role in giving Millie the idea to give Jack sleeping pills. Compare and contrast an Agatha Christie novel with this novel.

Focus on foreshadowing at the beginning of Behind Closed Doors. What clues do we get that Jack is really only interested in manipulating Grace and taking control of her life?