The Transit of Venus

What role does Australia play in Hazzard’s novel? To what extent does Australia remain significant even as the sisters have begun their European lives?

What is the significance of clothing in Hazzard’s novel and how does it enrich characterization?

To what extent does Hazzard show that the characters are in control of their destinies versus at the mercy of fate? You should discuss at least three characters in your answer. 

How does the theme of the declining British Empire inform Hazzard’s portrayal of her male characters? To what extent does the British Empire’s decline breed new models of masculinity?

Discuss Ted’s lifelong romantic obsession with Caro. In your opinion and with close reference to the text, does Hazzard show this to be an entirely benign force?

What role do snobbery and social class play in the novel? In your opinion and with close reference to the text, are these holdovers from Britain’s past or active factors that continue to shape people’s lives?

What role do secrets and secrecy play in the novel? To what extent does Hazzard suggest that the characters’ secret selves are their most authentic selves?

Describe the relationship between a character’s sense of self and their attitude to romantic love. Do characters with the most capacity for personal growth also change their attitudes to romantic love?