Plum Bun: A Novel Without a Moral

Contrast the novel’s sisters. What does Jinny possess that eludes Angela? What are her objectives in contrast to her sister’s?

Why does the author focus on largely successful, middle class Black people rather than impoverished or more deeply oppressed ones?

Place is a significant marker of opportunity and identity throughout the book: suburban Philadelphia, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Harlem, and Paris figure in Angela’s coming of age journey. Compare and contrast at least two of these places and what they signify for Angela’s development.

Anthony’s attitude toward passing, as well as his explanation for engaging in the practice, is distinct from Angela’s. How does this distinction change the reader’s perception of him? Of Angela? Is his explanation satisfactory?

Why does Angela decide to continue seeing the blatantly racist Roger? How does she justify her decision, and how does this impact her character?

Angela attends art classes in New York and Paris, and Anthony strives to be a serious portraitist. How does their interest in art inform their characters and/or their relationship? What role does art play throughout the book?

Which does Angela feel more constrained by, her race or her gender? In what similar or different ways do these facets of her identity constrain her?

Research one of the recent news stories about white people passing as Black (Rachel Dolezal, former president of NAACP chapter; Jessica Krug, history professor). How do these instances compare to Angela’s choice to pass? How are the motivations similar and how are they different?