What Made Maddy Run: The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen

Describe the role of social media in Madison’s life. Using examples from What Made Maddy Run, describe how social media affects mental health.

Fagan concludes that no one thing caused Madison to commit suicide. What literary devices does Fagan use to build this argument?

In the Chapter 1 section “In Real Life,” Megan Armstrong says, “Feeling better actually feels worse sometimes because I feel pressure to never feel bad again, which is inevitable.” Does Armstrong’s analysis of depression provide insight into Madison’s struggles?

Fagan identifies a culture of excellence in today’s young people. What is the dark side of this quest for perfection? Does Fagan’s description mirror your experiences?

Madison’s mental health struggles are the focus of the book. However, a number of minor characters are also introduced. Compare and contrast Madison’s experiences to those of another character in What Made Maddy Run.

Fagan relies heavily on metaphor and symbols throughout What Made Maddy Run. Identify three key metaphors and/or symbols and analyze how Fagan uses these literary devices.

What Made Maddy Run emerges from an article titled “Split Image” that focuses on how Madison’s online persona hid the conflict she was struggling with. Describe how Fagan uses the idea of a split image to develop her analysis.

Madison’s suicide raises questions about mental health on college campuses. Identify and analyze the concrete steps that universities are taking to address mental health issues. Compare this to your own experiences as a student.