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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS The Queen's Gambit |
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1. Elizabeth Wilhide has
praised QUEEN'S GAMBIT, saying, “Fremantle…sheds an intriguing new light
on Katherine Parr, one of history’s great survivors.” Aside from
surviving her marriage to Henry VIII, in what ways is Katherine Parr a
survivor? What do you think her greatest act of survival is? Why?
2. Neither Katherine nor
Meg will talk about what happened at Snape. How have the events affected
each of the women? Do you agree with Dot’s decision to keep Meg’s
secret? Why does Dot finally tell Katherine the truth about what Meg
endured at Snape?
3. Clothing is important
throughout QUEEN'S GAMBIT. The
first time we encounter Henry, he is “absurd in his minstrel garb.” (p.
25) How does this color your impression of him? Why does Henry wear this
costume? Katherine, too, places a lot of importance on her jewels. She
“insists on wearing her finest things, the most bejeweled of her
dresses, her heaviest hoods, in spite of the cloying heat,” and,
although she tells Dot that she would give up all of her jewels, “still
she insists on wearing them.” (p. 218) Why do you think Katherine
adamant about wearing her heavy clothing and jewels? Do you believe her
when she says that jewels mean nothing to her?
4. The first time we
encounter Henry, he invites Katherine to play against him in a game of
chess. When she makes her first play, she employs the queen’s gambit.
Henry accepts the play and tells her “You mean to route me at the centre
of the board.” (p. 28) How does this game foreshadow Katherine’s
relationship with Henry? Why do you think that Fremantle has chosen
QUEEN'S GAMBIT as the book’s title?
5. When Katherine becomes
regent, she thinks “My enemy’s enemy is my friend.” (p. 145) In what
ways do you see this sentiment playing out in the Tudor court? Are there
any allegiances that were surprising to you? Which ones?
6. Although Huicke is
originally sent to care for the dying Lord Latymer in order to gather
information about Katherine for Henry, the two forge an close
friendship. Why do you think that Huicke reveals the true purpose of his
visits to Katherine? When back at court, Huicke will not tell his peers
“of his genuine fondness for her. The air is too thin for friendship at
court, so this is precious to him.” (p. 149) How does their friendship
evolve as Katherine’s favor with the King ebbs and flows? Why is the
friendship so valuable to both Katherine and Huicke?
7. The power of the written
word is a major conceit throughout the novel. While the papers,
containing the last testimony of Anne Askew, that are found on Dorothy’s
person lead to her imprisonment, it is her ability to read them that
saves her. In what other instances does the written word prove
dangerous? How does the book that Elwyn gives Dorothy while she is
imprisoned cause her to rethink Anne Askew’s actions?
8. Elizabeth Tudor tells
Jane Grey, “Think of the power. I would like the feeling of that, to
have all the women in the world do your bidding. I would make a good man
I think.” (p. 323) What do you think she means when she says, “I would
make a good man”? What sort of power do the men in the Tudor court wield
over the women? Do they abuse their power?
9. When Dot visits her
mother after being married, she “felt distant from her, as if she was a
foreigner and a great ocean separated them.” (p. 295) In what ways has
Dot changed? Why is Dot’s mother unwilling to meet William? Do you agree
with her decision?
10. Both Katherine and Dot
“had married for love. A daft thing to do really”. (p. 319) Why is
marrying for love seen as folly in the Tudor Court? Compare and contrast
Katherine’s and Dot’s marriages. Do your opinions of Thomas Seymour and
William Savage change throughout the course of the book? In what ways?
11. When Katherine
ultimately marries Thomas Seymour, she does so without the blessing of
the king although she could be charged with treason for doing so. Why do
you think that she agrees to go along with the clandestine wedding? Why
do you think that Seymour delays asking the king for permission?
12. Although Katherine is
committed to religious reform, when Henry dies, she stops the archbishop
from praying over him in English, asking that instead that they pray “In
Latin. He would have liked that.” (p. 285) Why do you think she does so?
Although Katherine’s beliefs remain, her “dreams of bearing the torch
are gone.” (p. 307) What do you think precipitated this change in her?
13. Family is particularly
important to Katherine. When Huicke suggests that Elizabeth be sent away
after it seems she’s gotten too close with Seymour, Katherine will not
because “that would mean breaking up her fragile family and she will not
do that.” (p. 306) Why does Katherine ultimately sent Elizabeth away? Do
you think that she is justified in doing so? Compare Katherine’s views
on family to that of her brother Will who “has never really thought of
[Katherine’s] happiness.”
(p. 287)
14. Before Katherine sends
Elizabeth to Lord Denny’s house at Chestnut, Katherine tells Elizabeth,
“There are events in life from which we learn our most profound lessons
and sometimes those events are the ones of which we are most ashamed.”
(p. 317) Do you agree with Katherine? What shameful things has Katherine
done throughout the course of her life? Do you think that she’s learned
any lessons as a result? If so, what sort of lessons has she learned? |
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