To the Scaffold: The Life of Marie Antoinette

To the Scaffold : The Life of Marie Antoinette , written by Carolly Erickson , presents the life story of one of history 's most famous queens . At a young age , she became the queen-consort of France , ruling along a husband - King Louis XVI - who was somewhat inept for the role of monarch . She has often been portrayed as frivolous , overly extravagant woman , yet Erickson 's biography attempts to present a more humane and sympathetic portrait . In some ways , she is successful in others , not so successful

To the Scaffold begins with the birth of

Marie Antoinette - originally named Maria Antonia Josephina Johanna - or rather a of the day she entered into the world . Erickson provides a clear portrait of the type of woman the future queen had for a mother . Maria Theresa ruler of the Austrian Empire , was a highly intelligent and efficient woman , as evidenced by the fact that she was engaged in handling state affairs as she suffered the labor pains that would soon bring her youngest daughter into the world

Like a true politician Empress Maria Theresa had managed to successfully create a dual personality . On the one hand , she ruled her empire with great political acumen that was often considered to be a gift bestowed on men only . On the other hand , she made it a priority to emphasize her femininity . This she accomplished through her prolific childbearing , as well as through maintaining an impeccable and fashionable appearance . As Erickson writes of the Empress : Her good looks were an asset , and she knew it she used her femininity , as great queens of the past had done to arouse her subjects ' protective instincts and win their hearts as well as their respect (Erickson , 13

As the early chapters progress , Erickson provides a view of the early years of Marie Antoinette 's life . She and her many siblings were educated in what their mother felt to be the most important . For the young girls , the focus would be on transforming them from immature schoolgirls to respectable and presentable young women . Therefore , the girls .were kept innocent , encouraged in their religious devotions their sexual curiosity discouraged (Erickson , 32 . The boys were treated quite different in all regards . The reason for this : it was the way of the world . Therefore , they would be prepared for the possibility of one day assuming the throne , and all the perks that went with it . To that end , their education was a bit more rigorous than that of their sisters , as was the norm

There was one drawback to this situation . Whereas the older children had had the benefit of having their mother be quite involved in their studies , and overall upbringing , for Marie , this was not the case . It was during these formative years that her mother would be engrossed in war with France , thus preventing anything more than brief reports on Marie 's progress . This would eventually change when Marie was in France During those early years of her marriage , her mother would...