On Beauty Lesson Plan

How do you think Zadie Smith feels about the characters in On Beauty?

Students may discuss the tone of the book, actions of the characters, and descriptions of the characters. Most of the characters are described as flawed and self-centered: Zora doesn’t really care about anything, but takes up sides just to make a fuss and seem intellectual. Levi cares about something only while it’s right in front of him. Howard hates everything, is selfish, and sleeps with a student and his son’s first love. Jerome mopes and over-analyzes. Monty, Howard, and Erskine all have affairs. Carlene says blatantly sexist things. Monty champions regressive ideas on race and sexuality. Smith...