3CS Book Club CDA discussion
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The Marriage Portrait
THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT
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I think one of the most glaring aspects is a woman's role or use even in 16th century Europe. One of the quotes I found telling was Lucretia's father's opinion of his daughters role "Her father would have found her an advantageous match because that is, after all, what she has been brought up for: to be married, to be used as a link in his chains of power, to produce heirs for men like Alfonso". Do you think women thought of their purpose as such? When and what precipitated the women's roles/rights?
2). At a young age, Lucrezia's temperament and emotional fits were difficult to bear. Do you think her personality and character traits were a liability or a benefit in shaping the course of her life?
3). Alfonso's closest male companion Leonello is loyal to him at all costs. Does Lucrezia have a similiar ally? if so, who? Does she have more than one ally?
4). What distinctions did you notice between the way the Cosimo household raises their children and the way the Medici household raises their children?
5). Death is a constant motif used in the story. what is the relationship between marriage and death in the O'Farrell novel?
6). Did your initial impression of Elisabetta and Nunciata shift as the story progressed? How would you feel about being their sister-in-law?
7). What role does Emilia play in the narrative? In what ways does the author build her character development?
And now for some "fun" easier questions!
1). you've just been hired on as the books editor. what sort of changes would you suggest? to long, to short, did you like the ending?
2). How did the characters evolve over the course of the book?
3). Do you have a favorite quote or passage from the book? if so please share! :)
4). what were the books central themes?
5.) if you were to invite the author to dinner what would you ask them? what would you serve them?
I think we have quite a few things to think about. Please chime in here, share your thoughts about the book.
As always looking forward to a lively discussion. See you in person on Wednesday 1/15 and hopefully, hear from you on this platform too.
Great questions! I read/watched an interview with the author where she talked about using "the idea of the underpainting — other narratives, hiding in the shadows behind the one that we think we know." I felt like this came out both figuratively and literally in the text. https://www.ttbook.org/interview/pain...
Looking forward to a great discussion on Wednesday!
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YES, she has to get married now despite her pleading/NO she can wait thanks to Sophia's subterfuge
NO she can't see Sophia to say good bye/YES Sophia runs out to the carriage
YES Alfonso is sweet and thoughtful (gifts and letters)/ NO Alfonso is a brute, he shoves her down in carriage as they depart for no reason. and abandons her during the travel with no warning.
YES, she's sure Alfonso is going to kill her at the Fortezza/ NO she's not sure, how can anyone so caring possibly do that?
YES as the duchess she assumes she can have a say in certain matters/ NO Leonoello and Alfonso can be as cruel as they wish and she must accept it.
I'm sure there are many more instances! Did you spot any?
What is the connection between Lucrezia and the tiger? I could mull over a few quotes from the book "was there no hope? the tigress speed to be asking her. Will I always remain here? Will I never return home?" In what ways do you think Lucrezia and the tigress mirror each other? Another telling passage in regards to the tiger "She felt the secret tigress move within her, like a bright ribbon weaving in and out of her ribs." what do you think the author is trying to convey about how Lucrezia lives her life?
ill leave us with this for now. if anyone has any thoughts or comments they would like to share please post. There really is quite a lot to unpack here.