Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed

How does Callahan analyze the media’s treatment of the women associated with the Kennedys, particularly in comparison to how the male figures are portrayed? What conclusions does Callahan draw about gender, power, and public perception?

How does Callahan address and deconstruct the myth of “Camelot,” or an idealized period in American politics, and what arguments does she present for its persistence in popular culture? Use textual evidence to examine this topic.

What roles do the lesser-known Kennedy women, such as Eunice Kennedy Shriver or Patricia Kennedy Lawford, play? How does Callahan highlight their contributions to the Kennedy legacy and American politics?

Donald Trump, another wealthy, powerful political figure whom women have accused of affairs, sexual harassment, and assault, does not benefit from the same rarefied political legacy as the Kennedys. How has that affected his portrayal in the media, and what, if anything, makes his actions different from those of the Kennedy men?

How does Callahan address the role of women like Marilyn Monroe in the Kennedy mythos? To what degree did John F. Kennedy, Sr.’s alleged extramarital affairs affect the women involved, and how did the media participate in excusing his behavior while vilifying the behavior of those women?

How does Callahan explore the narratives of women whom the Kennedys mistreated, like Mary Jo Kopechne, Pamela Kelley, and Martha Moxley, and how does this portrayal differ from contemporary media coverage of the crimes committed against them? Use textual evidence in exploring this topic.

How does Callahan explore the dynamics between Jackie and Bobby Kennedy after John’s assassination? What does their relationship reveal about the Kennedy family’s internal struggles, personal responses to trauma, and political ambitions?

How does Callahan portray Jackie Kennedy’s role in shaping the public image of the Kennedy presidency? In what ways does the book explore her unique influence on both the political and cultural legacy of the Kennedy family? Use textual evidence in examining this topic.