Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Eleanor’s view of Raymond shifts dramatically by the end of the novel. Describe at least three scenes that best capture the arc of Eleanor’s evolving perspective on Raymond. The scenes might include her observations of Raymond’s appearance, choice of words, mannerisms, and/or personality traits. 

The title Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine describes the main character’s view of herself. At the end of the novel, Eleanor tells Raymond she is fine, “stressing the word because, at last, it was true” (323). What does Eleanor mean by this? Describe her earlier uses of the word “fine” and how they relate to the novel’s themes. 

At the end of the novel, one of the news articles reveals something important about Mummy. What is it, and how does this revelation change the significance of earlier scenes involving Mummy? What does this revelation mean about Eleanor as a character? 

Two contrasting scenes involve professionals—one a social worker, the other a therapist—interviewing Eleanor for the first time. Name the differences between these scenes and the interviewers themselves. What is the narrative significance of each scene?

Marianne recurs throughout the novel, although she is not named until Chapter 33. How does Honeyman illustrate Marianne’s lingering influence on Eleanor in earlier chapters? What causes Eleanor to remember who Marianne is and what happened to her? Why is Marianne important? 

Gail Honeyman includes several of Johnnie Lomond’s tweets in the text. How does Eleanor interpret these tweets? What significance is the reader meant to take from them? How does this effect foreshadow later events in the novel? 

In writing Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman sought to explore the modern epidemic of loneliness. How does Eleanor describe her solitary lifestyle? Who are some other lonely characters in the novel, and how does Honeyman portray them? 

Name a few significant items in Eleanor’s apartment and show why they’re significant to Eleanor’s characterization.