Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Lilia attempts to reject the conventions of English society by marrying an Italian. But her marriage is unsuccessful and she dies in childbirth. Is Forster suggesting that she made the wrong decision? Does Forster think that broader social change is impossible and that you shouldn't try to fight against society?
- Mrs. Herriton considers herself the paragon of virtue—she always does her duty, no matter what. But in what way is Mrs. Herriton's code of duty morally suspect? Is she aware of her own hypocrisy?
- Forster portrays Gino as an imperfect man—overly controlling of his wife's freedom, yet also honest and upfront about his emotions (unlike some of the English characters in the novel). What do you think about Gino's feelings for his son? Is he a good father? Why does he seem to get over the grief of his son's death in a relatively short period of time?
- Miss Abbott claims to have experienced a spiritual growth during her second trip to Italy. Do you agree, and why?
- Do you think a character like Philip will ever find love? Is he capable of feeling real love?
- According to Forster, is it better to act rashly or to never act at all? Why?
- The title Where Angels Fear To Tread comes from the line by Alexander Pope: "For fools rush in where angels fear to tread." Who are the "fools" in this novel? Where are they "rushing in" to?
- What is the novel's attitude towards tourism? Does it suggest that tourism is morally suspect, or does it promote tourism as eye-opening?
- Which is portrayed as the greatest obstacle to Lilia finding happiness with Gino: the fact that he is Italian and she is English, or the fact that she is upper class and he is lower class? Why?