Essay Questions

What does the title, “Fifty Shades Freed”, refer to?

On the one hand, and the most clear allusion continuing the previous two books in the series, would be Anastasia Steele’s liberation, as she is freed from the naivety with which she lived. She gave in to the love and her relationship with Christian, giving in to the emotional freedom she sought in the first novel (and which she didn’t think she could have because she was afraid that Christian Grey wouldn’t find her sufficient to be with). Another side of the story would be to consider Christian’s own liberation, as he also gives in to the love he feels for Anastasia and he learns to leave behind the burdens he was carrying (and ignoring) from his youth and adolescence.

How has Anastasia changed throughout the series?

At first, Anastasia was a submissive and naïve person (not just sexually). She was willing to do pretty much anything Christian asked of her, and she drew the line (at the end of Fifty Shades of Grey) when the punishing aspect of her relationship became too much. But as the story progresses and her relationship with Christian develops, she finds that he is able to alter certain aspects of his life (such as toning down the S&M and giving up contracts) and she does the same. She becomes stronger as she stands up for herself, not only towards those who help her (her boss, Jack), but also towards Christian, who she is in love with. She stands up to him when he expresses his worries over the pregnancy, she confronts him over being friends with Elena, and she defies everything he demands of her for the sake of saving Mia, even if she risks her own life in the process.