Valley of the Dolls

What are the “dolls” referred to in the title of the book? What does calling them dolls imply about them, and how do they fit into the novel’s themes? Are there current corollaries to the dolls of the mid-20th century?

What are some of the ways in which Allen marginalizes Anne after he announces that he is going to marry her? How does this behavior relate to Mid-Century Patriarchy and the Objectification of Women, and how does it relate to other men’s behavior in the novel?

Why do so many people, including Henry, Helen, Lyon, and Neely, criticize Anne for refusing to marry Allen? How does this relate to the book’s portrayal of marriage more generally?