My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

Characters/People

Schuyler family Philip – father Mother Angelica – oldest daughter, married Jack Carter (John Baker Church) Peggy – third daughter, married Stephen Van Rensselaer Dinah – Slave, Schuyler’s cook Jenny – Slave, given to daughters when young Prince – Slave, butler Eliza Schuyler Hamilton – middle daughter Alexander Hamilton – husband Philip – first born Ana – oldest daughter, mental illness Fanny Antill – orphan, raised by Hamiltons John Andre – friend, British officer, spy master who handled Benedict Arnold Benedict Arnold – American traitor Aaron Burr Theodosia Burr – wife, deceased James Madison – fourth president, “Jemmy” Dolly Todd Madison – neighbor, Quaker, widow, married James Madison Maria Reynolds – had affair with Hamilton, with husband blackmailed him George Washington – first president John Laurens – friend, aide to Washington, affair with Hamilton??? Lafayette Georges – son, lived with Hamiltons for awhile Thomas Jefferson – third president John Adams – second president

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from paperback edition.

1. When her baby brother died in 1778, Eliza thought, “I was struck by the powerful conviction that God put us here to make a better world.  And it is a conviction that has informed the rest of my life” (page 64).  How did she fulfill this conviction?
2. In 1781 there was a break in Hamilton and Washington’s relationship over a trivial matter - Hamilton kept Washington waiting and thought he treated him with disrespect (pages 148-149).  Why wouldn’t Hamilton agree to a reconciliation?
3. Discuss Hamilton’s affair with Maria Reynolds in 1792.   Does he deserve any sympathy because he was lured into a trap?  Discuss the double standard regarding infidelity – Hamilton told Eliza, “An unfaithful husband cannot be compared to an unfaithful wife whose actions cast doubt on the legitimacy of their children” (page 317). 
4. In 1797 when the affair was again used against Hamilton, Eliza felt she was continuously tainted by the sin of her husband.  She reflected, “For I was a wife who’d failed to inspire fidelity.  And yet, my fidelity to him was now also to be counted against my virtue” (page 415).  Discuss how she handled this situation.  Was there anything else or better she could have done?
5. How much influence did Eliza have over Hamilton?  How did this change throughout the novel?
6. Discuss the issue of slavery as it impacted the people in the novel.  How well did the authors address this issue?  Did you understand the thoughts of the slave owners?
1. Eliza grew up in household with slaves, but they were her father’s so she had not made the choice to keep slaves (page 159).  
2. Hamilton hired a slave from her master to help Eliza in 1781 (page 160).
3. In 1784 Eliza thought about how she grew up with Jenny serving her and her sisters, but they did not think about her being a slave (page 216).
4. In 1790 Eliza and Hamilton “borrowed” Jenny and took her away from her mother (page 294).
5. In 1799 Eliza found out that Hamilton had bought a slave for Angelica when she moved back to America (page 427).
7. Hamilton felt that the circumstances of his birth negatively impacted him all of his life.  How did these feelings influence his actions?  Do you think the same would be true today?
8. Discuss the authors’ writing style.  Did you like the way each section and chapter ended with a hint about future events or issues?
9. Keeping in mind that this is historical fiction, did you learn any more or gain any understanding of American history through this novel?
10. Discuss the 50 years Eliza lived after Hamilton died.   How did she overcome the obstacles to tell his story?
11. This novel is about Eliza Hamilton, not Alexander.    How well did the authors focus on her?  Could her story be told without also telling his?

*****

First Semester Success, 2nd Edition, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available as an eBook and hard copy from amazon.com and hard copy from wordassociation.com.  Click on upper right link.