Wolf Hall discussion

Does anyone know why Hillary Mantel named the Wolf Hall book "Wolf Hall"? My mother has not been able to figure out why and it is driving her cr-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-zy (she kows that Wolf Hall is the home of the Seymour family but Jane Seymour, in the book, is a minor character)!!!

See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Hall

The title comes from the name of the Seymour family seat at Wolf Hall or Wulfhall in Wiltshire; the title's allusion to the old Latin saying Homo homini lupus ("Man is wolf to man") serves as a constant reminder of the dangerously opportunistic nature of the world through which Cromwell navigates.[6] None of the action occurs at Wolf Hall.

I might add, too, that so many people are so aware of Henry VIII's story and that of Ann Bullyn, that "Wolf Hall," the family seat of his wife after Ann, adds a shiver to the entire reading experience, or did for me. When Cromwell notes, in the very last line of the book, "Early September. Five days. Wolf Hall.", I believe he's saying to himself, Five days and it begins again. It begins again.

Garth wrote: "See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Hall

The title comes from the name of the Seymour family seat at Wolf Hall or Wulfhall in Wiltshire; the title's allusion to the old Latin saying Homo homin..."

Spot-on reply, Garth!

For me it was the final flourish. The trip to Wolf Hall is what sets everything else in motion - Anne's downfall, the marriage to Jane Seymour, her death, and Henry's subsequent marriage, arranged by Cromwell, which failed and led to Cromwell's downfall. It's like, by putting Wolf Hall on the itinerary, every else is foreshadowed. Mantel didn't even need to write the 2nd and 3rd books - we know the stories, we know what happens. It's all encompassed in that itinerary.

Obviously I really liked the book.

Caitlin wrote: "For me it was the final flourish. The trip to Wolf Hall is what sets everything else in motion - Anne's downfall, the marriage to Jane Seymour, her death, and Henry's subsequent marriage, arranged ..."
So, you did or didn't continue reading Mantel's trilogy, Caitlin?

I am a huge fan of Hillary Mantel. For me the scene where the Archbishop is stripped of his office, he's on his horse, a sick man and is forced to get down on the ground, and he still loves the king,--that scene was wonderful, and I think shows her power as a writer.
I am also a fan of all the stories about Henry. He was such an S.O.B. If you like this historical period, I recommend Phillipa Gregory. Her most recent book is about Catherine Parr, Henry's last wife. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the book.

Mizzou,
I read Bring up the Bodies, and enjoyed it a lot. But for me, Wolf Hall was the master work. I feel it could have stood alone.

Marguerite wrote: "I am a huge fan of Hillary Mantel. For me the scene where the Archbishop is stripped of his office, he's on his horse, a sick man and is forced to get down on the ground, and he still loves the kin..."

Do you mean, "Taming of a Queen?" So many books about King Henry VIII are based on Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour and Catherine Howard. It is much harder to find books about the last wife.

Marguerite , I was with you until you mentioned Philippa Gregory in the same sentence as Hilary Mantell. Gregory frequently changes known history to 'spice up' her plots. She is not an historical authority by any means. Mantell doesn't change known facts; her research is deep and thorough. Like the best historical authors, she creates a story by *adding* to known facts, not changing them or throwing them out the window - she knits the known facts together into conceivable plot. Gregory writes broad soap opera. Fine if you like a romance novel, but I prefer authors who stick closer to the actual history.

I think the reason Cromwell added Wolf Hall to the progress list was his desire to see Jane himself. He was attracted to her and until the first morning at Wolf Hall had no idea that Henry would be interested in her.

I completely agree with that, Mary. He desires her and makes mental plans to have her:
"Liz, he thinks, take your dead hand off me. Do you grudge me this one little girl, so small, so thin, so plain?"
I'm still unsatisfied with all the explanations for the novel's title I've found. The name of the Seymore seat is too concrete and distracting to allow for the "Man is wolf to man" metaphor.
I wondered if perhaps Mantel is suggesting that the intrigue and illicit affairs that Wolf Hall is known for can be l likened to King Henry VIII's court? I'm still very unsure.

Yes, I think the title very much refers to the nature of the Tudor Court: That "man is wolf to man" I think refers to the fact that, like wolves, those who are able to hunt and kill (either literally or metaphorically) will survive and thrive.

Hillary Mantel focused this work on a portion of one of the greatest human dramas in English history. For readers who engage with this novel, historical facts are well known prior to cracking the first page!

With that in mind, the title serves as a reminder of the greater context within which the novel's events unfold, as if to say, "We all know what this is all about, but let's look at this particular piece and really get a sense of it!"

I felt the title successfully established an atmosphere of inevitability.

Hilary Mantel herself wrote in the guardian "The title arrived before a word was written: Wolf Hall, besides being the home of the Seymour family, seemed an apt name for wherever Henry's court resided."