That Woman (Sebba) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
1. Why has Wallis been demonised for so long? What factors have contributed to a reassessment? Do you think revisionism is justified

2. Why might Wallis have been seen as pro- Nazi?

3. To what extent was her Americanism part of the problem? Can you understand why for some in America Wallis has always been a heroine? What characteristics of Wallis’s personality do you find admirable?

4. How do you explain the attitude of the Queen Mother towards Wallis and towards Wallis and Edward?

5. Was the denial of royal honours for Wallis justified in the circumstances or vindictive?

6. Why has Edward V111 been so little criticised?

7. Why are duty and pluck no longer revered compared with today’s goals such as ambition and personal fulfilment?

8. Has our attitude towards divorce changed for the better?

9. What about some of the other characters in my story: Why do you think Winston Churchill behaved as he did? Was Mary an admirable character?

10. What role do you think was played by the wives of politicians such as Lucy Baldwin, Nancy Dugdale Helen Hardinge and Hilda Runciman and why do you think their views have not been taken into account before?

11. Which of the characters do you feel most sympathy for: Mary, Ernest, Henry/Aharon, Aunt Bessie, Alan "Tommy"Lascelles? Which of the characters do you feel should have done more to understand or guide Edward earlier in his life e.g. his parents, his private secretaries, the Archbishop of Canterbury and other church leaders or his girlfriends?

12.  Do you agree that Wallis performed a useful service by delivering a new monarch for such critical times?

13. How should she be remembered? As a style icon and if so why? Describe her style. Or as a victim and if so why?

14. Do you believe every generation has a different attitude to key personalities according to historical context?
(Questions from author's website.)

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