Bright Young Women

How does Pamela’s character change after the attacks? How does this traumatic event alter her personality and life trajectory? Would the event have been so significant had Pamela been older when it occurred? How does the trauma reveal the lack of support system in Pamela’s life, and how does it lead to her forming new connections?

Pamela’s comment that she briefly thought the man fleeing from the house was Roger causes significant delay and misdirection in the investigation and trial. Why are people (including the police) so eager to believe that Roger was the attacker? Why do people tend to ignore Pamela’s realization that the man wasn’t Roger? How do Roger’s violent tendencies create complexity and challenges for Pamela during the investigation?

Why is Ruth so drawn to Tina? What qualities does Tina most embody, and how do they shape her relationships with both Ruth and Pamela? How did Tina’s own experiences of exploitation and trauma shape her and color how she views the experiences of other women?