The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear

Consider other historical figures who have been unjustly committed to psychiatric facilities against their will, whether on the grounds of mental health perceptions, subjected to imprisonment for their religious or political beliefs, or wrongfully convicted of a crime. What character traits do they share with Elizabeth? How do they differ from her? How did their time and place (country, state, city) impact their circumstances, how they were treated by those in power, and whether or not they were released?

In what ways was Elizabeth particularly astute, and in what ways was she sometimes naive? What areas tended to cause particular “blind spots” for her, and how did she navigate them? What were Elizabeth’s weaknesses?

How do you perceive Elizabeth’s relationship with McFarland? What elements were most puzzling to you? How did Elizabeth see McFarland’s role, and did he live up to her expectations of it? How did McFarland expect Elizabeth to act, and how did she continue to prove unpredictable to him?