The Bridges of Madison Country
Writer: Robert James Waller
When he published the book in 1992, he was professor of management at the University
of Northern Iowa. The book The Bridges of Madison County was very successful and
Waller stopped teaching and wanted to become a full-time writer.
Explain the titel:
Robert has to photograph the 7 bridges of Madison County. He cannot find the last bridge
so quickly, so he meets Francesca.
Where is the story set?
Time: The story starts around 1965 and ends in 1989, but 20 years are skipped between
the 2 story parts. A few days (the days of Robert and Francesca together) are described
very extensively.
Place: around Francesca's home in Madison County, Wisconsin, USA
Is the setting important for the contents of the book?
Yes it is, they meet because Robert has to photograph the bridges and then he meets
Francesca.
Pay attention to the structure of the novel:
The Beginning - The Bridges of Madison Country: Robert Kincaid, Ancient Evenings
Distant Music, The Bridges of Tuesday, Room to Dance Again, The Highway and the
Peregrine, Ashes, A Letter from Francesca - Postscript: The Tacoma Nighthawk
The novel is presented as a novelization of a true story, but it is in fact entirely fictional.
Is the novel chronologically told/are there flashbacks/time jumps:
The story is not built up chronologically. In the first chapter you can read that Robert
Kincaid leaves his house for a long trip to Madison County. In the second chapter you read
that Francesca remembers Robert. In the following chapters you read the story of how
they met each other. These chapters are flashbacks.
KRONELODICLY
Who are the main characters, are they round or flat?
The main characters are Robert and Francesca;
• Robert (flat) is 52 years old and a photographer for National Geographic magazine. He
has been married before but divorced again.
• Francesca (round) is 45 years old and is married to Richard. Francesca is originally
from Italy, where she met Richard. She married him in America. Together they have 2
children, Carolyn and Michael.
Give some characteristics of the main characters:
• Robert: He is strong, muscular and intelligent.
• Francesca: unhappy married woman —> feels feminine again
Who tells the story? What is the effect of that on the book?
The story is told in the third person, but at one time through Francesca's eyes and at the
other time through Robert's eyes.
, Is there a message the author wants/wanted tot convey by writing the novel?
-
What is the theme of the novel? Account for your answer:
The theme of this novel is love. Francesca and Robert love each other, but she chooses
for her husband and children.
Are there any symbols in the novel? If so what do they stand for?
-
Is the novel a realistic one? Account for your answer:
The novel is presented as a novelization of a true story, but it is in fact entirely fictional.
What type of novel is it?
Love story
Make sure you know the story told in the novel. What do you consider the most
important event?
-
How does the book start and end?
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