Marriage and Betrayal

Marriage and Betrayal appears as a literary theme in 4 works in the BetterReads curated set. Each book develops the idea in its own plot, voice, and historical moment — the links below open the book-scoped theme guide beside the text.

The affair with Mrs. Reynolds and its aftermath strain Hamilton's marriage with Betsy, exploring themes of infidelity, forgiveness, and the gendered expectations of loyalty and shame within marriage.

Cressida's disastrous first marriage to Nicholas Staveley and her subsequent remarriage illustrate themes of marital betrayal, blackmail, and the emotional trauma of being trapped in a destructive relationship.

Stephen's marriage to Margery is portrayed as loving yet fragile, undermined by his infidelity with Muriel Tarrant and his ultimate betrayal of her trust through murder and deceit, forcing Margery to confront her idealized view of him.

Marriages in the novel are fraught with infidelity and manipulation, as seen in Alfred Inglethorp's fortune-hunting marriage to Emily, John Cavendish's affair with Mrs. Raikes, and the jealous tensions between John and Mary.