In the Classroom

It is important to address the fact that Wintergirls is not a text that is suited for a whole class to read and should be sensitively assigned to select readers. The nature of the subject matter is very intense, and could potentially have a large impact on a student. Wintergirls is best suited for girls above the age of fifteen.While the book can lend itself to having a positive impact, there is also the unfortunate possibility that a negative impact could result from a student’s casual perusal of this text.

With that said, Wintergirls is a book that should be largely engaged with verbally and in small groups. Lia lives her life trapped in her own mind, failing to share her true self with anyone and unable to seek help with her many issues. This distancing from those around her becomes her own form of self-oppression. Because Lia is so closed in her own mind, it would be beneficial to do the opposite when considering the novel as a whole.  Some ideas for discussion questions follow. 

• What seems to be the underlying reason for Lia's eating disorder? What is she actually striving for in her attempts to lose more and more weight?
• Consider the relationships that Lia has with the various people that she is surrounded by (her mother, her father, Jennifer, Emma, Elijah, Cassie's ghost). What are the various positive and negative effects of these relationships on Lia?
• What are some of the stylistic choices that the author uses throughout the text and what purpose do these style element serve?
• What do you think is the turning point of Lia's journey? How does Emma play a role in Lia's motivation to recover?

While discussion is the most effective way to engage with this texts, following are some potentially beneficial assignments to have students do independently. 

• Write an short story using some of the techniques that Anderson uses in Wintergirls. Show the differences between what the character wishes were true and what the character thinks are actually true by having lines crossed out, number the chapters in a way that seems significant, use bold and italics deliberately, include subconscious thoughts in some way, etc.
• Write an essay about the thing that you appreciate most about your own image. Think about this in terms of the way that you see yourself, rather than the way that others perceive you. Focus on the positive and really reflect on something that you love.