The Mirror and the Light

How does the image of the king compare to the reality of the king? Does Henry live up to how he sees himself, literally and morally? Does he execute the duties of a king as he should? Explore the contradictions and complications that exist between the image and the reality.

What’s at stake in religious belief—for the peasants, the priests, and the aristocracy? During this period, someone could be called a heretic for believing in Catholic saints as easily as they could be called a heretic for not believing in the miracle of transubstantiation. Discuss the range of religious belief and what it means to the different classes within English society.

What are Henry’s reasons for rejecting the Pope and the Holy Roman Empire? What are Cromwell’s reasons for doing so? What are the noble families’ reasons for wanting to return to the Catholic fold?

What does it mean to be English? Who gets access to full citizenship and personhood? How does class and/or gender complicate identity? Think about the existence of a peasant versus that of a courtier, or consider the discussions surrounding the possibility of a female ruler versus a king.

How would the story change if it were narrated from a point of view other than Cromwell’s? What is the significance of having Cromwell narrate his life, including even the moment of his own death?

While women are only secondary characters in the book, their stories, roles, duties, and treacheries are incredibly important. Compare and contrast the perspectives and actions of various female characters in the book: There are three queens (Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, and Katherine Howard) described in the book, plus the ghost of one (Anne Boleyn). Or, consider the marginalized yet powerful women like Lady Mary, Jane Rochford, and Margaret Pole whose actions also influence the narrative in various ways.

What role does France play in the narrative? The territory of Calais is of constant concern. What role does Scotland play in the narrative? How does England fit into the larger geopolitical map of the period?

Wounds, injuries, and illnesses feature prominently throughout the book. What is the value placed in suffering? What is the danger of emphasizing such suffering?