This guide is designed for book clubs, classrooms, and reading groups exploring Unscripted’s themes of identity, authenticity, and connection in the digital age. Questions are organized thematically and by character, with writing prompts and research extensions for deeper exploration.
The title Unscripted suggests moving away from practiced performances. What “scripts” do Hannah, Ben, and Eddie follow at the beginning of the novel? How do these scripts serve them? How do they limit them?
The novel draws a distinction between the “Legend” (Eddie’s persona) and “Edmund” (his authentic self). What other characters have similar splits between performance and authenticity? How do social media and digital communication reinforce these splits?
Hannah creates “Operation V-Loss” with specific steps and expectations. How does treating her first sexual experience as a checklist both empower and limit her? What does she gain by abandoning the script?
The power outage forces characters into literal and metaphorical darkness where performance becomes impossible. How do the characters behave differently in darkness versus light? What does this suggest about the relationship between visibility and authenticity?
By the novel’s end, each protagonist makes a choice about how to move forward. Do you think their transformations will last when they return to school and social media? Why or why not?
Digital Identity and Surveillance
The novel depicts various forms of digital surveillance: Instagram Live streaming, Snapchat screenshots, Percy’s filming, and Keira’s “Vault.” How does constant digital documentation affect the characters’ ability to be vulnerable?
Hannah sends Eddie a sexually suggestive message using emojis, and he immediately screenshots it. What does this moment reveal about consent, trust, and power in digital communication? How does this foreshadow later violations?
Percy’s Instagram Live violation is the novel’s central crisis. Why do you think Percy does this? What does the response from other characters (Eddie’s deletion of his post, the boys’ interventions, Hannah’s refusal to check the comments) reveal about the social ecosystem?
The novel mentions TikTok-quotable lines and Close Friends stories multiple times. How do characters shape their behavior to be “content-worthy”? What’s lost when life is filtered through the lens of potential posts?
The basement becomes a dark space each time lights switches off. How does the darkness change Ben and Hannah’s interaction? Could they have had the same connection if light was present?
Toxic Masculinity and the Manosphere
Percy, Eddie’s friend, promotes “LMS” ideology (Looks, Money, Status) and references Andrew Tate. How does this worldview damage both the young men who believe it and the women in their lives? What makes it appealing despite its harm?
Eddie struggles between his father’s transactional view of women and Dr. Hutton’s challenges to that worldview. What family and social pressures keep Eddie performing toxic masculinity even when he recognizes its emptiness?
The “brotherhood ritual” in Chapter 29 shows men being vulnerable with each other (Ben, Chris, and Alfie). How does this scene contrast with earlier male bonding moments (like the gym scene or Percy’s crude talk)? What makes healthy male friendship different from toxic male bonding?
Hugo, Eddie’s older brother, represents one possible future for Eddie. What does Hugo’s influence reveal about how toxic masculinity is transmitted across generations? How does Eddie begin to resist this inheritance?
Ben initially compares himself to “alphas” like Eddie and feels like an “omega.” How does this hierarchical thinking harm Ben’s self-worth? What helps him move beyond these categories by the novel’s end?
Consent, Violation, and Agency
The novel depicts several consent violations: Eddie’s sharing of Hannah’s Snapshot messages, Hannah’s kissing of Ben, Percy’s filming, and the sharing of intimate information by various characters. How do these violations differ? What do they share?
Hannah deliberately takes control during her encounter with Eddie, “flipping the script” of his usual playbook. Is this empowering for Hannah, or is she still operating within problematic frameworks? Explain your reasoning.
When Hannah discovers the Instagram Live stream, she experiences it as profound violation even though no penetration occurred. What does this reveal about the nature of sexual violation and consent?
After the violation, Hannah experiences victim-blaming thoughts (“I chose to go with him”). How does the novel handle the complexity of agency, choice, and violation? What helps Hannah move from self-blame to appropriate anger?
Eddie stops the Instagram livestream and tries to protect Hannah’s privacy in the aftermath. Does this redeem his earlier complicity? Why or why not?
Body Image and Shame
Ben’s body shame centers on his penis size, his weight, and his overall “invisibility.” How do his insecurities shape his behavior throughout the novel? What specific moments help him begin accepting his body?
Hannah’s preparation for losing her virginity includes waxing, makeup, and elaborate outfit planning. How does she navigate the tension between choosing for herself and conforming to male-gaze expectations?
Eddie’s relationship with his body is tied to performance—gym culture, the Instagram-worthy aesthetic, physical dominance. How does his encounter with Hannah challenge his usual relationship to his body?
The novel shows multiple characters experiencing their bodies during intimate moments: Chris and Libby in the basement, Hannah and Eddie in the studio, Ben and Hannah in darkness. How do these scenes depict embodiment differently from typical YA romance?
Marissa the beautician tells Hannah, “Release and receive.” How does this phrase reappear throughout the novel? What does it mean in the context of body acceptance and sexual agency?
Class, Privilege, and Social Hierarchy
Eddie’s wealth is constantly visible: his vintage car, designer clothes, access to private spaces. How does economic privilege shape his sense of entitlement? How does it isolate him?
Ben borrows Alfie’s expensive clothes for the party. What does this detail reveal about the role of material markers in teen social hierarchies? How does Ben’s relationship to class differ from Eddie’s?
Keira’s house party, with its distinct spaces (basement, garden studio, the dressing hosting “the Vault”), creates different social zones. What do these spaces reveal about class and access? Who is comfortable in which spaces?
The “Honeytrap Package” spa treatment costs more than some families’ weekly grocery budget. What does Hannah’s willingness to pay this amount reveal about the economics of female preparation for sex?
Dr. Hutton’s therapy is clearly expensive and inaccessible to many families. How might the story be different if Ben couldn’t afford therapy? What does access to mental health care reveal about privilege?
CHARACTER ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Hannah Davis
Hannah begins the novel treating her virginity as a “checklist item” and ends it claiming agency over her own narrative. Trace her transformation across the 24 hours. What specific moments catalyze change?
Hannah’s internal voice is analytical, self-aware, and often self-critical. How does her voice change between the beginning and end of the novel? Find specific textual examples.
Hannah kisses Ben in the basement but then chooses to go to the garden studio with Eddie. Was this a betrayal of Ben? A betrayal of herself? A necessary exploration? Defend your interpretation with evidence.
In the Epilogue, we learn Keira may have been “the first girl Eddie ghosted.” How does this reframe Hannah’s interactions with Keira throughout the novel? Should Hannah have recognized Keira’s pain earlier?
Hannah tells both Eddie and Ben, “I choose not to choose either of you.” Is this a satisfying resolution to the love triangle? Why or why not? What does it suggest about female agency in romance narratives?
Ben Wilson
Ben’s self-deprecating humor serves as both defense mechanism and self-sabotage. Find three examples where his humor undermines his chances for connection. Find three examples where it creates connection.
Ben’s therapy with Dr. Hutton reveals deep shame dating back to his grandmother’s comments when he was 13. How does childhood shame shape adolescent identity? What would Ben’s life be like without access to therapy?
Ben witnesses Chris and Libby’s intimate encounter in the basement. How does this voyeuristic experience change his understanding of sex, gender, and vulnerability? Is voyeurism always violation?
The “brotherhood ritual” with Chris and Alfie challenges Ben to be physically and emotionally vulnerable. Why is this scene important for Ben’s arc? How does it contrast with Dr. Hutton’s therapy?
At the novel’s end, Ben puts on his blue shirt and walks out “ready to let anyone see me.” What does he mean by being “seen”? Has he actually changed, or is this just another performance?
Eddie Penrose
Eddie’s internal voice alternates between “Eddie” (the performance) and “Edmund” (authentic self), with Hugo and his father’s voices also present. What do these competing internal voices reveal about identity formation under family pressure?
Eddie’s memory of Alice represents his last experience of authentic connection. Why can’t he reclaim “Edmund” after Alice? What role do Hugo and his father play in suppressing Eddie’s authentic self?
Eddie deletes the predatory spreadsheets during his crisis and protects Hannah’s privacy afterward. Does this action redeem his earlier participation in toxic masculinity? Can someone be both victim and perpetrator of the same system?
Eddie’s encounter with Hannah in the garden studio differs dramatically from his usual sexual experiences. What specifically is different? Does Hannah’s “flipping the script” help Eddie, harm him, or both?
The Epilogue reveals Keira’s obsession with Eddie and her “Vault” of documentation on his sexual partners. How should we understand Eddie knowing this information exists? Is he complicit in Keira’s surveillance?
Keira Buckley (Epilogue Focus)
Keira’s Epilogue perspective reveals she’s been in love with Eddie since before his “exile” to boarding school. How does this reframe her role as the party host who enables Eddie’s conquests?
Keira maintains detailed records on Eddie’s sexual partners, ostensibly to “help” them. Is she helping these girls, or is this surveillance and control? Can it be both?
Keira sends girls to “get the Eddie Penrose Experience” rather than pursuing Eddie herself. What psychological mechanisms might explain this behavior? Is she exploiting other girls or protecting herself?
Hannah confronts Keira: “Why do you send us to shag him? Why don’t you get the Eddie Penrose Experience for yourself?” Why can’t Keira answer this question? What would it cost her to acknowledge her feelings?
WRITING PROMPTS
Perspective Shifts
Rewrite Chapter 18 (The Spill) entirely from Eddie’s perspective. What is he thinking when he sees Hannah in her school skirt? Why does he react with such cruel rejection?
Write the Instagram Live violation scene from Percy’s perspective. What motivates him to do this? Does he feel guilt, excitement, power? What does he expect to happen?
Imagine Dr. Hutton’s clinical notes after Ben’s therapy session in Chapter 2 and 4. What would a therapist observe about Ben’s presentation, defense mechanisms, and treatment needs?
Write Libby’s group chat messages after she leaves the basement with Chris. What does she tell her friends? What does she keep private?
Character Extensions
Write the text conversation between Hannah and Ben the day after the party. How do they navigate their connection in daylight with phones back in hand?
Fast forward six months: Eddie is at university. Write his internal monologue during a party where he’s expected to perform the “Legend” role. Has he changed? Is he still fighting Edmund?
Create Marissa’s (the beautician’s) internal monologue during Hannah’s waxing appointment. What does she observe about Hannah’s anxiety? Why does she offer her phone number?
Write a letter from Chris to Ben one week after the party, reflecting on the “brotherhood ritual.” What does Chris wish he’d said differently? What does he want Ben to know?
Alternative Scenarios
What if Hannah had refused Eddie’s initial invitation and never went to the party? Write a short scene exploring this alternative timeline. How might her summer have unfolded differently?
What if the power outage had never happened? How would Ben and Hannah’s relationship have developed without the cover of darkness?
Imagine Percy faces real consequences for the Instagram violation—suspension, legal action, social exile. Write his response. Does he understand what he did wrong, or does he see himself as the victim?
Thematic Explorations
Write an essay titled “The Economy of Virginity in Unscripted.” Analyze how virginity functions as social currency for Hannah and as conquest for Eddie. What does the novel suggest about this economy?
Choose a moment where a character makes a significant choice (Hannah going to the studio, Ben revealing his virginity, Eddie deleting the predatory spreadsheet). Write about the same moment but with the character making the opposite choice. How does the story change?
Create a “before and after” character profile for one protagonist. What did they believe about themselves at the beginning? What do they believe at the end? What evidence supports their transformation?
RESEARCH EXTENSIONS
Psychology and Mental Health
Research Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), particularly as it affects young men. How do Ben’s symptoms align with or differ from clinical BDD? What treatments are most effective?
Investigate the concept of “performed identity” in adolescent psychology. How do teenagers construct multiple versions of self for different audiences? What role does social media play?
Study the psychological effects of non-consensual image sharing (often called “revenge porn”). What are the documented impacts on victims? How do legal and social systems currently address this violation?
Research therapeutic approaches to shame. How do therapists help clients like Ben move from toxic shame to healthy self-acceptance? What specific techniques might Dr. Hutton be using?
Gender Studies and Masculinity
Explore the academic concept of “toxic masculinity.” How do scholars define it? How does it differ from healthy masculinity? Find examples of both in the novel.
Research the manosphere, including incel communities, pickup artist culture, and “red pill” ideology. What are the real-world consequences of these belief systems? How are young men recruited into these communities?
Investigate “bro code” and male friendship norms. How do cultural expectations about male bonding affect young men’s ability to be vulnerable with each other? What alternatives exist?
Study the concept of “sexual script theory.” How do cultural scripts shape expectations for sexual encounters? How do these scripts differ by gender?
Digital Culture and Social Media
Research the psychological effects of constant social media documentation. How does knowing you might be photographed or recorded affect behavior? What does research say about “performative intimacy”?
Investigate the legal and ethical frameworks around consent in digital spaces. What laws currently address non-consensual filming or sharing of intimate images? How do they vary by jurisdiction?
Study the “quantified self” movement and its connection to dating culture (rating systems, body counts, tracking metrics). How does measurement change intimate relationships?
Explore the concept of “main character syndrome” and its relationship to social media. How do platforms like TikTok and Instagram encourage users to view their lives as content?
Sociology and Class
Research the sociology of house parties as adolescent social spaces. How do these events function as sites of identity formation, social hierarchy, and transgression?
Investigate the economics of female beauty standards. Calculate the costs of “preparing” for a sexual encounter like Hannah’s. Who profits from these expectations?
Study the relationship between economic class and access to mental health care. What percentage of teenagers have access to private therapy like Ben and Eddie? What are the alternatives?
CROSS-CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS
Literature and Film Studies
Compare Unscripted to other young adult novels that address sexual coming-of-age (e.g., Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Exit Here by Jason Myers, We Are Okay by Nina LaCour). How does this novel’s treatment of sexuality, consent, and identity differ from earlier YA works?
Analyze the novel’s three-voice structure. How does rotating between Hannah, Ben, and Eddie’s perspectives create dramatic irony? What do readers know that individual characters don’t?
The novel takes place over 24 hours, employing a compressed time frame similar to James Joyce’s Ulysses or Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway. How does time compression affect pacing and character development?
Create a film adaptation pitch for Unscripted. How would you visually represent the internal monologues? How would you handle the split between Eddie and Edmund? What music or visual style would capture the novel’s tone?
Health and Wellness
Develop a comprehensive sex education curriculum based on themes in Unscripted. What would you want young people to understand about consent, communication, body image, and healthy relationships?
Research current best practices for teaching consent. How could the scenes in Unscripted be used to illustrate both violations of consent and models of ongoing communication?
Create a social-emotional learning unit using Unscripted as a primary text. What skills (empathy, self-awareness, relationship skills) does the novel help develop? How?
FOR EDUCATORS: FACILITATING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS
Discussion Guidelines
When facilitating discussions about Unscripted, consider these approaches:
Create Brave Space: – Acknowledge that topics may be uncomfortable – Establish ground rules: confidentiality, respect, right to pass – Remind students that characters’ choices are not endorsements
Handle Personal Disclosures: – Don’t press students to share personal experiences – Have resources ready if someone discloses trauma or current abuse – Know your mandatory reporting requirements
Address Controversy: – Some parents may object to sexual content, profanity, or themes – Have a clear rationale for why this text serves educational purposes – Offer alternative texts for students/families who opt out – Be prepared to discuss the difference between depicting harmful behaviors and endorsing them
Center Multiple Perspectives: – Encourage students to empathize with each character – Challenge students to understand choices they disagree with – Ask: “What would have to be true for this character’s choice to make sense to them?”
Connect to Real Life: – Ask students to identify which themes feel relevant to their experiences – Discuss how the 2023 setting (social media, post-pandemic, economic anxiety) shapes the characters – Invite students to imagine how the story would be different set in different eras or contexts
Assessment Ideas
Low-Stakes Assignments: – Reading journals with guided prompts – Character social media profiles (Instagram, TikTok, texts) – Playlist creation with lyric analysis – Visual maps of character relationships or emotional arcs
Formal Essays: – Thematic analysis of one major theme – Character transformation argument – Comparative analysis with another text – Personal reflection on identity and authenticity
Creative Projects: – Alternative ending or sequel chapter – Film adaptation proposal – Podcast episode discussing themes – Multimedia presentation on research topic
Discussion-Based: – Socratic seminar on central questions – Fishbowl discussion on controversial topics – Small group analysis presentations – Reader’s theater of key scenes
FINAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
The novel is titled Unscripted, but it’s also the first book in the Glassworth series. What questions are you left with? What do you hope to see addressed in future installments?
If you could give advice to one character at the beginning of their night, who would it be and what would you say? Would your advice change anything, or are these lessons that can only be learned through experience?
The novel ends with Hannah, Ben, and Eddie watching the sunrise together, holding hands but making no promises. Is this a satisfying ending? Why or why not? What do you imagine happens next?
Throughout the novel, characters struggle between authentic connection and social performance. In your own life, when do you feel most authentic? When do you feel most like you’re performing? Is performance always bad?
The novel suggests that transformation requires “disturbing evidences,” confronting truths, and “release and receive.” What truth do you need to confront? What are you holding onto that you need to release? What are you ready to receive?
This discussion guide was created to honor the complexity of Unscripted and to support meaningful conversations about identity, consent, masculinity, and authenticity in the digital age. Thank you for engaging with these characters and their messy, complicated journey.
