Essay Questions

What does the novel say about the importance of family?

The novel is centered around the Bridgerton family, a noble English family that, despite the harshness of the noble society, finds a way to be close and caring. It is a large family of siblings and a witty and intelligent mother as their guide. After finding herself in a compromised situation with Simon, Daphne not only thinks about her future, but also the consequences of her actions on her family. Simon, on the other hand, grew up without the support of a family. His father only looked for a perfect heir, and after Simon hadn’t met his idea of perfection, he tossed him aside. Daphne and Simon form a bond that is rooted in the discovery of the true meaning of family love.

How does the character of Daphne fall into the trope of “not like the other girls”?

Daphne’s character is the epitome of the “not like the other girls” trope. She is unassumingly attractive and overtly friendly. She knows how to speak to the boys, knows the right words to say, because she grew up with four brothers-a fact which she proudly mentions on several occasions. Daphne is feminine, but not quite: she knows how to throw a punch if needed. She grabs the attention of devastatingly handsome Simon, not only for her unassuming beauty, but also her wit and independence.

In what way does the novel portray the romance of the past?

The novel’s portrayal of romance, and love, is problematic, to say the least. It is to be expected of a novel that romanticizes the past and values of the past, such as feminine purity and masculine assertion and dominance. The novel sets the importance of marriage to be the key point of the plot, which is also to be expected of a romance set in the Georgian period. The men in the novel are assertive and critical of women, most of whom are regarded as brainless predators in search of marriage, while women are falsely submissive, hiding their true selves behind an expected, socially appropriate, mild demeanor.