A Very Easy Death

Analyze Beauvoir’s restrained, reportorial style. How is this manifested and why do you think she chose this tone to write about such a deeply personal topic?

Beauvoir applies her existential and feminist theory to her mother in her memoir. Apply the same theory to the behavior and emotions of Beauvoir as presented in the book. To what extent do you think she exemplifies her own theoretical principles?

Examine how the memoir presents intergenerational conflict and experience between women in order to show female emancipation and progress through the 20th century in France.