The American Lesson Plan

Why does Claire choose to join the Carmelite nuns and live in a convent? Was there any other possible outcome for her?

Encourage students to consider what the consequences might be for Claire if she decided either to leave her family and marry Newman, or to refuse his proposal and remain living with her family. Either of these options was technically open to her, and students may imagine more alternatives. Her choice does not seem to make her happy, or even much relief, but it effectively removes her from an impossible situation. She wants to marry Newman, but is programmed to obey her mother. While Claire could feasibly leave her family and leave Paris with Newman,...