By Any Other Name

In By Any Other Name, Picoult tells the entwined stories of Emilia and Melina. Why might she have chosen this narrative technique, rather than focusing on just one of the women? What effect does pairing their stories have thematically?

Throughout the novel, Picoult pairs Emilia and Melina, even choosing names that are almost anagrams for one another. In what ways are the two women similar despite the vast differences in their upbringings and time periods? How do they differ?

Picoult weaves Shakespearean language and allusions throughout the text, allowing characters to say phrases used in the plays. She includes an appendix at the end tracking her references. Choose one of her references and explain how the allusion enhances or changes the reading experience. Why might she have chosen to include it?