Essay Questions

Who are the protagonists of Ali Smith’s How To Be Both?

With a notable number of awards and nominations to her name, Ali Smith in this work excellently presents two stories in one novel, both told by two different protagonists. While the two characters appear to be unrelated, at least at first glance, a commonality is soon drawn to the reader’s attention. The stories are told from the perspectives of Georgie, a girl living in Cambridge while the other protagonist, Francesco is of Italian descent and an artist. The writer, Ali Smith, provides an excellent insight into the lives of these two protagonists.

How is paranoia explored in How To Be Both?

Georgie’s mother is an emblem of this ideology in Ali Smith’s How To Be Both. As the story begins, Georgie introduces her mother and the love she had for the artistic works of the painter, Francesco del Cossa. Georgie’s mother and her paranoia are particularly alluded to when the idea that she is being monitored by the government is presented. In this line, the woman becomes an emblem of the theme as she believes that the world, and government specifically, is out to get her.

How is fascination as a theme portrayed in this novel?

Georgie’s mother has a love for the art designed by Francesco del Cossa that can be termed as a fascination or even more. In order to have a first-hand experience with the works of the artist, the woman travels with her daughter to Italy. Even though at this time, Georgie has no interest in the artwork, the situation changes after her mother’s death she too becomes obsessed with the works of the artist. These two characters in this way can be argued as the writer’s way of drawing the reader in on the idea of fascination.