Why do you feel Nancy is so concerned that Diana is considering divorce?

Nancy is concerned that Diana is considering divorce, particularly because her new partner will not be leaving his own marriage. Why do you feel Nancy is so concerned? What do you think is behind Diana's decision?

In those days, in their social circles, divorce was just not done. You could live totally separate lives, you could beat your wife, you could have a lover, but divorce brought shame. To divorce on of the richest, nicest men for a lower class rable-rouser was shocking and fodder for gossip. That could lead to a loss of social standing for the whole family. It would also hurt Nancy's chances of making a good match.

Diana had everything - a loving and wealthy husband, two sweet boys, and with a divorce she'd be giving up this as well as her social standing. Divorces were just not socially accepted.

Divorce was considered taboo, especially when initiated by the woman. Not only did the act reflect poorly on the woman but also on her family, often tarnishing their reputation. In Diana’s case, her decision to divorce was likely to be judged even more harshly since she was walking away from what many would have considered the ideal situation- a devoted and wealthy husband of good social standing and two adorable little boys.

Nancy was working so hard to get married and in the end settled for a poor candidate for a husband. Nancy believed that Diana was throwing away wealth, respectability and a generous and loving husband for a very socially unacceptable match.

During that time period and within that social status divorce was unheard of. Diana had in many eyes a loving and wealthy husband plus two children and should have been happy, especially to marry a man of a lower class. Plus, it did not help Nancy's chances of finding a suitable husband because a divorce in the family raised doubts of permanent relationship.

There was status to retain. Nancy's husband was wonderful to her and Nancy was the "princess" of the family! Nancy divorcing, and marrying someone not of their status, puts a stain on the Mitford family reparation.

For Diana to divorce her devoted and wealthy husband and pursue a married man put her family in a negative spotlight. Nancy was particularly upset with Diana's decision to divorce since she was hoping to marry. As noted by many other readers, divorce was not acceptable 100 years ago except for extreme cases. Diana was obviously head-over-heels in love with Mosley. As a rich and self-centered woman who almost always got what she wanted, she was determined to pursue him, no matter the costs to her or her family.

The Diana-Mosley story reminds me a bit of the Prince Edward-Wallis Simpson story. One wonders how much of Diana's behavior might have been fueled by the royal drama that was playing out around the same time. Despite other "role models" divorce was a rare thing, especially when your spouse seemed like a truly decent person. I think Diana's behavior played out the worst of her tendencies and really challenged Nancy's idolizing of her sister.

As others have responded, divorce was socially unacceptable. One found other ways to deal with an unhappy union. Nancy disliked Mosley and simply couldn’t understand how her sister would give up so much (money, prestige etc.) for such a pompous, self effected man. I also think her perceptions were influenced by her own unhappy experiences.

During that time period, divorce brought with it a stigma not only for those getting the divorce, but also for extended family members. Plus “M” wasn’t getting a divorce. Diana was making a huge sacrifice in so many ways - financially, socially, respectability. She was leaving a husband that adored her for what seemed like a lustful relationship (maybe it was love for her, but “M’s” treatment of the relationship surely didn’t feel like love.

In that time period, divorce was still considered taboo. Couples would separate rather than legally divorcing. Add the stigmas of being a single, divorced woman in a relationship with a married man. Nancy had lots to be concerned about Diana, and that's not even counting the whole fascism deal. Yikes.

I agree with those who spoke of social standing and prospects or other girls in the family. My husband's grandmother divorced in 1933. Her family treated her poorly and held he responsible for her sister's poor prospects. Tnis was even though she had no control over the divorce and her husband was cheating on her. everything that happened afterwards was her fault in the eyes of her parents.

I think she already saw the man that Diana was so entranced with and was afraid what Diana was getting into.

I think Nancy is so concerned about Diana considering divorce because it is a precursor to her own consideration of the same. Nancy is in an unhappy marriage and struggling to decide how to proceed, and she views Diana's actions as an analogous foretelling of her own issues.

Diana was giving up a dream marriage to pursue a married man who seemed to have no intention of leaving his wife. Any loving sister would certainly try to steer her into reconsidering.

When Diana & Mosley first became lovers & Diana decided to pursue her divorce, Nancy was not yet married but very much wanted to be. I believe her sister's flaunting of the social rules was a direct affront to all that Nancy hoped to achieve by getting married. It also made her realize that just being married might not be enough to be happy. I found it interesting that despite her rocky arrangement with her alcoholic husband, Nancy opted to live apart and not divorce. As Nancy & Peter both became stronger individuals throughout the book, I was left with some hope that they might be able to make it as a couple after all or at least have a meaningful lifelong friendship.

I agreed with Nancy that Diana seemed to have a perfect husband and two boys. She thought Diana would not be happy with Mosely, especially since he was married. Mosley was a gadabout, but Diana was a Fascist and she was attracted to Mosley's standing with the BUF, British United Fascists. She knew he loved his wife, but the heart wants what it wants.