57 pages 1 hour read

Maureen Callahan

Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2024

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Essay Topics

1.

In what ways does Ask Not explore the generational differences between the Kennedy women, such as Rose Kennedy, her daughters, and her daughters-in-law? How does Callahan illustrate the evolving role of women in the political sphere through these figures? Use textual evidence to explore this topic.

2.

How does Callahan analyze the media’s treatment of the women associated with the Kennedys, particularly in comparison to how the male figures are portrayed? What conclusions does Callahan draw about gender, power, and public perception?

3.

How does Callahan address and deconstruct the myth of “Camelot,” or an idealized period in American politics, and what arguments does she present for its persistence in popular culture? Use textual evidence to examine this topic.