Beta Vulgaris Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

Print PDF

For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Sugar Beets and our BookBrowse Review of Beta Vulgaris.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Beta Vulgaris takes its name from the Latin term for what's commonly known as a beet. In what ways does this title reflect the alienation Elise experiences throughout the novel? What role does language play in causing us to feel disconnected from ourselves and others?
2. The class differences between Elise and Tom are pointed out from the beginning—while Tom's family "were Marriott people," Elise's family were "Motel 6 people" (p. 4); Elise delays her return to school because she is unable to afford it, while Tom does so "because he was having fun." Despite their familiarity with their respective socioeconomic situations, "Tom felt insecure and ashamed of his silver spoon; Elise felt insecure and ashamed of her fiscal irresponsibility" (p. 16). What was your opinion of Elise at the beginning of the novel? What was your opinion of Tom? How did your view of these two characters shift by the end of the book? What most changed or maintained your understanding of them?
3. Elise oscillates between thoughts of fantasy and reality, ultimately leading to a blurring of the two. Early in the novel, she talks about how she "fantasized" about getting going back to school for her MFA, about "being the kind of adult she'd needed as a teenager"; yet, "realistically," she believes these ideas and "wildest dreams" to be out of reach or foolish (pp. 14–15). Why does Elise fantasize about things she understands are unreachable for her? Do you believe she is truly unable to achieve or obtain the futures she imagines? Why or why not?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of W.W. Norton & Company. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.