Beautiful Creatures Fate and Free Will

It's hard enough feeling like your parents dictate everything you do. But what if a power you couldn't even see wasn't just deciding how you were going to spend your Friday night, but how you were going to live the rest of your life? That's what Lena's up against in Beautiful Creatures. Because of a decision made by Genevieve, her great-to-the-power-of-four grandmother, Lena's life is pretty much predetermined. And not even by a person, but by a dusty old book, The Book of Moons. Screaming "I hate you! You ruined my life!" to a book would just be silly. How can you vent all that frustration? Wouldn't you want to break a few windows too?

Questions About Fate and Free Will

1. Macon says the following about all humanity (that means you, too): "You think you can change things. Stop the universe. Undo what was done long before you came along. You are such beautiful creatures" (2.04.83). He says he envies us, but it almost sounds like pity. What do you think?
2. At times Lena seems resigned to her fate. At others, she wants to fight it. What compels her to fight against her fate?
3. Ethan was dreaming of Lena before he even met her. Is this fate preparing him for what's to come? What's the point of these stinkin' dreams?
4. Hardly anyone in Beautiful Creatures believes in coincidences—to them, it's all fate. Do you think there are any plain old coincidences in the book?

Chew on This

If Lena and the Casters believe that fate cannot be changed, they might as well just stop trying.

It's really all Genevieve's fault. If she hadn't tried to resurrect Ethan Carter, none of this would be happening.