In particular, a chapter titled “Madame Deficit” paints a very clear picture for the reader on how the queen was viewed by the public. Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraserįraser’s biography of Marie Antoinette gives a thoroughly detailed overview of the queen’s life and carefully explains the context of the events happening in France at the time.

Events such as the building of the Hameau and the Diamond Necklace Affair combined with Marie Antoinette’s inability to commit to flight or reconciliation with the outbreak of the Revolution helped to fan the flames of her negative depiction. These factors formed the basis of the public opinion of Marie Antoinette, but a series of unfortunate events helped secure her tragic fate. She was the easiest target: she was foreign and well known for throwing lavish parties and spending copious amounts of money on her wardrobe and her hair. Much of the blame for the financial hardships the monarchy encountered was placed on the queen. However, with the rapid decline of the financial situation in France, this optimistic opinion was extinguished. When Louis XVI and Marie Antionette became king and queen, the people were hopeful and ready for a change of ways in the government. However her position on the good side of the people became precarious with the many years spent waiting for the queen to produce an heir. Her disposition and beauty easily enraptured the people. Initially, the public had a positive opinion of Marie Antoinette. At 14, she was married off to Louis XVI in an attempt to form an alliance between her native country and his: Austria and France. Marie Antoinette was seen by her mother as a pawn on the chessboard of 18th century Europe. A portrait Marie Antoinette had commissioned of herself and her children compared to a caricature that was drawn of her.

Marie antoinette the journey