Unplugged: The Beautiful World (#3, Unplugged Trilogy)

Discussion Questions

    Can't stop thinking about Unplugged: The Beautiful World? Organize your thoughts with these discussion questions!

#1: When Enna first meets President Burbank, she disagrees over the motives and righteousness of his past actions. If you were President while having to deal with the Hidden Allies, would you have done anything differently? Why or why not?

#2: Fake Enna strives to be true to her fabricated persona, but finds it hard to do so when fond memories of the past arise. How does this make her similar to the real Enna?

#3: The Pacific Ocean shocks the party aboard the Mothership, and Matthew eagerly claims that harnessing the natural resource could significantly improve the lives of American citizens. Why is Enna hesitant about the idea? Does she have a right to be?

#4: Danny is even younger than Enna yet has stepped into an esteemed place of power. How does this help and hinder him, short-term and long-term?

#5: There are moments in the novel when we delve into conflict between Matthew and Enna. Other than a lack of communication, why do they find it so hard to clearly understand each other?

#6: We see several facets of Jackson's character throughout the novel. If you had to characterize him as good or bad, which would you choose? Why? How do you think Father would answer this question?

#7: Enna thinks to herself that enjoying the moment with Matthew is more important than worrying about the next day and its troubles. Do you agree that present awareness is more important than preparing for the future? Why or why not?

#8: What is significant about Gale's final moment? Do you think she died bravely or recklessly?

#9: We see that Leah is distraught by the thought of Oscar being wheelchair-bound for the rest of his life. Do you think that she is right in being discouraged, or that it shouldn't affect their relationship?

#10: Fake Enna chooses to plug in Matthew instead of kill him. Why is this a fate worse than death?

#11: What are the last words spoken between Matthew and Enna? By what means? Why are they significant and foretelling?

#12: Why does Matthew start crying when he says that he wants to sleep? How does this guide Enna to make a final decision about his fate? Do you think it was appropriate that Enna made the decision? Why or why not?

#13: When Enna confronts Fake Enna, what does she say? Why is the dialogue between them so crucial to Enna's character arc?

#14: Why do you think Fake Enna shoots herself?

#15: When Father welcomes Enna into her "dream world", she catches a glimpse of Matthew. What does it mean to you that his scars are no longer there?

#16: In the Epilogue, we catch a small glimpse into Enna's new life as President of the United States. How would you describe her adult self? Does she act the way you'd expect her to? Why or why not?

#17: In the final moments of the novel, Enna finally tells Matthew that she loves him. Do you think it was truly too late for her to do so? Why or why not?

#18: What did you think about the ending of The Unplugged Trilogy? Do you think that the characters found the endings they deserved? Did each of the novels connect comprehensively?

#19: Overall, what do you think the theme of The Unplugged Trilogy is?