Sadie and Phoebe are both described as “smart” in the novel. What different definitions of “smart” do the two figures represent to Lillian?

A defining characteristic of the picaresque genre is the use of irony, humor, and absurdity. How does Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk incorporate these elements, and what effect do they have on the novel’s themes and characterization?

Lillian’s narrative is rife with references to major poets and their works—including but not limited to Lunch Poems by Frank O’Hara, Harmonium by Wallace Stevens, A.E. Housman, Dylan Thomas, Hart Crane, and Edna St. Vincent Millay. Select one of these poets and conduct research on their life and works. What is the significance of the reference to this poet in the novel?