Summary - The Marriage of Opposites: by Alice Hoffman

Inspired by the life of Rachel Pomie Petit Pizzarro, mother of famous artist Camille Pizzarro, The Marriage of Opposites is historical fiction, a tale of overcoming great obstacles, but most of all a love story. Rachel dreamed of going to Paris as a young girl, but her life in on the small island of St. Thomas made it seem unlikely.

Combined with the persecution she would face as a Jew in the early 1800s, it seemed likely to stay a wistful dream rather than become a reality. While headstrong and intelligent, she settled down to the quiet life of wife and mother. However, when her husband dies and his young nephew comes to take over the family business, she finds a love she thought had passed beyond all possibility. More than that, she finds the life she wanted, with all the joy and pain that it would bring.

This summary contains a great deal of information to help you read and enjoy The Marriage of Opposites. It includes:

A summary of each chapter

A background on the author

Background on the history of the time

Descriptions of important characters

An analysis of style and structure

And much more!