Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism

What are the three steps to indoctrinate a person into a cult, and how do these steps work?

Based on the evidence provided in the text, analyze the history of the word “cult” and its relationship with the average American. During which time periods were cults most influential in the United States, and why? How has the connotation of a cult evolved over the years, and why?

Montell compares the American Dream to a pyramid scheme. How are these ideas connected, and what role does cultish language play in both?

How do Montell’s life experience shape her approach to the topic of cults? Provide at least three specific examples from the text to support your ideas.

According to Montell, why do people follow cult leaders like Jim Jones? What factors drive people to join cults, and what misconceptions exist around these factors? Be sure to include specific evidence from the text to support your response.

What role does language play in forming cults? Be sure to use specific examples from the text to support your response.

Do you agree with Montell’s assertion on the prevalence of cults in modern society, specifically the notion that we all subscribe to cults of some kind? Why or why not? Be sure to use specific examples from the text to support your response.

Montell covers a lot of ground in this book, from suicide cults to influencers. Why do you think she chooses to cover these topics and arrange them in this way? How does the structure impact the meaning of the text?