The Marriage Portrait

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Do you typically enjoy reading historical fiction? If so, do any specific time periods or locations typically interest you? Have you read other works of literature set in an era akin to The Marriage Portrait (Renaissance Europe, or Italy more specifically)?
• In addition to being inspired by a historical figure, O’Farrell drew on a 19th-century poem, My Last Duchess by Robert Browning. Read the poem and consider why it might have intrigued O’Farrell. How does she modify or challenge the characters and events that Browning depicts in his poem?
• The novel begins with a historical note that explains that Lucrezia died less than a year after her marriage and that her husband was widely suspected of having murdered her. How did the presence of this information at the start of the novel shape your expectations and engagement with the plot? Did it enhance or diminish suspense?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Many of Lucrezia’s childhood memories (such as the incident with the tiger) are depicted as vivid and formative for her. When you think back to your childhood, which memories are most evocative for you? Do the memories that stand out surprise you, and do you think they reflect any aspects of your personality?
• Initially, Alfonso is betrothed to Lucrezia’s sister, Maria. When Maria dies unexpectedly, he marries Lucrezia instead. Do you think these events are an example of fate or coincidence? When you think of your life, can you pinpoint seemingly coincidental moments that significantly impacted future events?
• Lucrezia’s talent and identity as an artist are important because they give her a sense of agency; they also help her to forge a bond with Jacopo. Do you identify as a creative person? Why or why not? Why do you think that, for much of history, it has been challenging for women to pursue artistic careers?
• Lucrezia must face the terrible knowledge that her husband is almost certainly planning to kill her, while also being powerless to escape or get help. Have you ever had to face circumstances that you did not believe you could change? Were you able to find a creative way to resolve the problem?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• The Marriage Portrait portrays domestic violence in a distant historical period. In what ways would Lucrezia have greater rights and agency if she were a modern woman? Did anything surprise you about how Lucrezia was treated as a 16th-century woman? What challenges would she still face in the present day? (Consider, for example, that Alfonso is wealthy and that her parents support their marriage).
• The Marriage Portrait highlights the juxtaposition between Lucrezia and Emilia, two women from very different social positions. Which of them actually turns out to have more freedom? Why is it significant that the two women can be mistaken for one another—how does this resemblance undermine notions of social class and hierarchy?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• The novel unfolds in two alternating timelines: One describes events in 1561, while Lucrezia is isolated with her husband and growing increasingly fearful, and the other timeline describes Lucrezia’s childhood in the years leading up to her marriage. How do the two narratives contrast with one another? How does the dual-timeline structure contribute to suspense and character development?
• How would you characterize the relationship between Lucrezia’s parents? How does it contrast or set false expectations for Lucrezia’s own marriage?
• Alfonso is not initially depicted as a villain and has instances of showing sweetness to his young bride (for example, he notices Lucrezia’s love of animals and art, and gifts her a painting of a marten). How does this characterization add complexity and nuance to the novel? If Lucrezia had gotten pregnant and given birth to sons, do you think that Alfonso would have treated her differently?
• Discuss the symbolism and significance of the portrait of Lucrezia. To what extent does the painting become interchangeable with the woman herself? How does depicting a historical figure in visual art differ from representing her in a literary work?
• Why is it significant that, while Lucrezia escapes, Emilia dies at the end of the novel? Why does one woman’s freedom have to be achieved at the expense of another? Is Lucrezia’s life depicted as more valuable than Emilia’s?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Choose a historical woman whose life interests you, and find a portrait of her. What do you notice about how she is portrayed? Can you find any information about the artist and/or the occasion on which the portrait was painted? Does the portrait give you any additional insights into the sitter’s personality or identity?
• If you were to develop a novel based on a poem, which poem would you choose? How would you expand or subvert the premise from the poem? What aspects of the poem appeal to you?

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