The Secret History Lesson Plan

What made Richard dissatisfied with his life and studies in California? How were the social environment and intellectual opportunities different at Hampden College?

Students may be eager to discuss the juxtaposition of the dramatic Prologue with the biographical retelling of Richard's life prior to Hampden, but encourage them to consider how they can unpack the characters for themselves first, and read the prologue through that retrospective and investigative lens. Although the novel begins with Tartt's reveal of the murder at the very beginning, setting readers up for an intriguing and complex mystery, in Book One she switches to an entirely different tone chronicling...