Discussion Questions for Catherine the Great; Portrait of a Woman
1. How did Sophia’s/Catherine’s relationship with her mother affect her?
2. Why do you think Sophia/Catherine embraced all things Russian when she came to court?
3. Would Catherine’s life have been different if her husband, Peter, had not contracted small pox?
4. Were you surprised by the Russian court’s blasé attitude toward Catherine’s relationship and pregnancy with Saltykov?
5. Do you think Catherine was aware of the services the Orlov brothers could give her when she became involved with Gregory Orlov?
6. Catherine considered herself Enlightened, and was a follower of Voltaire. Was she successful in any of her attempts to change Russia?
7. Why was she drawn to Gregory Potemkin? How did he influence her? Do you think they really married?
8. Catherine had three children. What affect did any of them have on her life?
9. Based on this book, what is your opinion of Catherine? Do you like or respect her? Why, or why not?
10. Catherine often said she could not live one day without love. Did these need for love affect how she ruled Russia? Did it affect how she was perceived by leaders in Europe?
11. Catherine wrote an epitaph for herself, shown on page 573. Do you believe it Is accurate?
12. Does Catherine remind you of any other female monarchs, past or present?
13. Would you recommend this book to a friend?
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