53 pages • 1 hour read
Without Merit
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Essay Topics
Consider the unique character names and the act of naming children or pets in Without Merit. What significance do the names Honor, Merit, and Luck carry for these characters? Sagan was given his mother’s maiden name, and Moby wants to name his puppy Dick in an innocent connection to the fictional character. How do Colleen Hoover’s characters try to influence their children or dependents through the names they assign?
Why do you think Hoover gave Vicky and Victoria the same name? At times, these characters seem like complete opposites, but in what ways are they similar?
How does the small-town setting of Sulphur Springs influence the novel and the characters’ actions? In what ways is Sulphur Springs a safe haven for the family?
Why did Hoover choose a first-person narrator for Without Merit? In what ways would the novel’s tone and meaning change had Hoover chosen a third-person omniscient narrator or alternating first-person perspectives?
Early on, Merit describes a public bathroom in the center of town in which the occupant of the bathroom can see out, but people on the outside cannot see in. Merit thinks the bathroom design is weird, but she likes it all the same. In what ways is Merit similar to the bathroom? How does the bathroom symbolize perspective, one of the novel’s central themes?
Why does Sagan feel it is essential to ensure Merit confronts her mental health challenges before developing a serious relationship with him? How might the outcomes of the other characters have changed had they faced their mental health challenges before starting committed relationships?
How does Christianity influence the characters and themes, specifically forgiveness, in Without Merit? Merit mocks Christianity by decorating the Jesus Christ statue in Dollar Voss, primarily to offend Victoria. Comparatively, Merit prays to God when desperate and feels her prayers are answered. What role does religion play in Merit’s and the other characters’ lives?
Multiple characters’ attitudes about sex and sexuality grow and change as the narrative progresses. How does each character navigate sexuality? How do their attitudes change from the beginning to the end of the novel?
Sagan’s art often depicts surreal, unnerving images. Sagan tells Merit his sketches do not carry any deeper meaning, but they are visual representations of what he feels in the moment. How do Sagan’s drawings support his character development? What does Merit’s appreciation for Sagan’s artwork say about her character?
Hearing about Sagan’s desperation to communicate with his parents and sister shifts Merit’s perspective as she considers her family relationships. As a couple, how might Merit and Sagan develop their own definition of family? What family values might these characters develop should their relationship continue?
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By Colleen Hoover
