The Duke and I Literary Elements

historical romance

beginning of the 19th century England

Narrator: omniscient;
Point of view: third person

Tone: criticizing
Mood: exciting, jubilant

Protagonist: Daphne and Simon; Antagonist: Simon's father, the late Duke of Hastings

Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, the new Duke of Hastings, devise a plan to pretend to court each other for mutual benefit, Daphne to grab the attention of possible suitors, and Simon to be rid of the attention of mothers and daughters seeing him as a potential prey for marriage.

Daphne discovers the truth about Simon's speech impediment and the reason behind his decision to not have children. After tricking Simon in bed to have hope for a child, Simon leaves her, and she returns to London to be close to her family in waiting for the outcome.

"And Simon had the sinking sensation that his fate has just been sealed."
-Simon foreshadows his impending future with Daphne

"Reformed rakes make the best husbands."
-Violet's mother, an understatement of Simon's rakish past

N/A

The appearance of Bridgertons, all of them look alike with brown hair and striking appearance, is mentioned several times throughout the novel, to emphasize their closeness to each other.

"Daphne turned to Simon with an amused expression. "I can't quite decide if she is being terribly polite or exquisitely rude."

"I wasn't insulting your sister," he said in a malevolent voice.
"I was insulting you."

"...the large and forbidding form of her eldest brother materialized in the doorway."
-"form" as a substitute in reference to a person
"I am the head of the family."
-"head" as a name for Anthony's position of responsibility

"He managed to restrain himself, but mostly because he was fairly certain that any show of humor would cause Anthony's fist to lose its battle with his brain, with Simon's face emerging as the conflict's primary casualty."