Reading Questions for A Ticket to the Circus
Warning: May contain spoilers
Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D
1. One reviewer described Norris' life as a series of emancipations. From what or whom do you think she was liberated? Was she really able to leave her childhood and life in Arkansas, or was her life there too much a part of who she was?
2. How did you relate to Norris' childhood with regard to her religious upbringing? Did you see it as harsh or loving? How far should you go in allowing religion to dictate your life?
3. Upon beginning life with Norman, Norris realized that public perception of him was often greatly at odds with the man she knew. How should she have handled ugly comments about the man she loved?
4. Being with someone who is so successful in their field can be intimidating, especially if you have aspirations in the same field. Did Norris do the right thing in putting her novel away when Norman was less than enthusiastic about it? Or should she have ignored it and continued writing?
5. Being related to a famous man is a double-edged sword, at best. As the wife of a controversial celebrity, was it harder or easier for Norris to succeed?
6. The age difference didn't seem to be an issue between Norman and Norris for quite a long time, but it was hard in later years. In what ways did their age gap bolster their relationship, and it what ways did it put strain on it? What roles do age and life experience play in relationships, especially marriage?
7. Knowing Norman's history and reputation as a womanizer, should Norris have been more guarded? Why or why not?
8. Being a step parent is a difficult relationship, for many reasons. Why do you think Norris had such a good relationship with the children? How does the definition of what it means to be a mother or father extend beyond shared DNA?
9. At one point, after Norris discovered the extent of Norman's infidelities, she describes herself as having taken a step away from him in her heart. Is it necessary to do that, if you want to protect yourself? Can you ever take that step back again and have a relationship as close as it was? If not, then what kind of relationship is possible? How do you move on? Can you control it?
10. Discuss how you viewed Norman Mailer before reading A Ticket to the Circus, as well as after. Did Norris' intimate, private account of life with a very public man change your opinions of him? Are we ultimately better defined not by what we do, but by the people we love—or more importantly, who loves us back?
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2. How did you relate to Norris' childhood with regard to her religious upbringing? Did you see it as harsh or loving? How far should you go in allowing religion to dictate your life?
3. Upon beginning life with Norman, Norris realized that public perception of him was often greatly at odds with the man she knew. How should she have handled ugly comments about the man she loved?
4. Being with someone who is so successful in their field can be intimidating, especially if you have aspirations in the same field. Did Norris do the right thing in putting her novel away when Norman was less than enthusiastic about it? Or should she have ignored it and continued writing?
5. Being related to a famous man is a double-edged sword, at best. As the wife of a controversial celebrity, was it harder or easier for Norris to succeed?
6. The age difference didn't seem to be an issue between Norman and Norris for quite a long time, but it was hard in later years. In what ways did their age gap bolster their relationship, and it what ways did it put strain on it? What roles do age and life experience play in relationships, especially marriage?
7. Knowing Norman's history and reputation as a womanizer, should Norris have been more guarded? Why or why not?
8. Being a step parent is a difficult relationship, for many reasons. Why do you think Norris had such a good relationship with the children? How does the definition of what it means to be a mother or father extend beyond shared DNA?
9. At one point, after Norris discovered the extent of Norman's infidelities, she describes herself as having taken a step away from him in her heart. Is it necessary to do that, if you want to protect yourself? Can you ever take that step back again and have a relationship as close as it was? If not, then what kind of relationship is possible? How do you move on? Can you control it?
10. Discuss how you viewed Norman Mailer before reading A Ticket to the Circus, as well as after. Did Norris' intimate, private account of life with a very public man change your opinions of him? Are we ultimately better defined not by what we do, but by the people we love—or more importantly, who loves us back?
Read O's review
Get more reading guides
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