The Final Girl Support Group

Does the novel support Carol J. Clover and Chrissy’s theory believe that the monsters in slasher movies want to destroy the feminine aspects of themselves by killing women? Why or why not?

Lynnette is actually in danger, but the novel argues that the precautions she takes to keep herself safe are overly extreme. Where do the other Final Girls think the line between safety and reasonableness should be drawn? Why?

Each Final Girl finds her own way to cope with her trauma. Which approaches work? Which are maladaptive? What does the novel want readers to conclude about each woman based on her coping strategy?

Consider the term “Final Girl” by researching Carol J. Clover’s original essay and more recent critical work on the topic. Is the term a useful way of defining the trope of the last survivor in horror fiction? Does it demean the usually adult women it describes? Why or why not?

All male characters reveal themselves in one way or another to be abusive or violent. Why doesn’t the novel let any man off the hook?

Chrissy believes each monster is tailored to each woman’s weakness, and thus offers opportunities for personal growth. Do the violent episodes the women endured “match” details about their personalities? Why or why not?

Discuss the novel’s metafictionality. Why are the novel’s characters named for the actors who played their originals? Why does Hendrix base Stephanie Fugate on the real-life murderer Caril Ann Fugate rather than another fictional woman? Why does a novel that criticizes violence against women feature so much of it?

Horror movies prompt fans to admire the killers rather than their victims or survivors. Why? What are the various ways this is destructive?