Re: [GO] BD Sweet Violets
On 14 Nov 2004 at 8:05, Sally Dore wrote: DFB uses illness in many > of the *plot-progressing* ways outlined by Dorian, but unlike the > others, she seems not to use illnesses in the other way of varying the > emotional tone, tugging heart-strings, as the others do. There are no > bedside crises. If EBD etc have *more* illness in their books than > real-life would have indicated at the time, surely DFB has *less* than > would be representative of the times. And she doesn't even seem to > use them as a way of illustrating character, indicating stoicism etc. > Why? You've hit on one thing that my Topsy-book will be looking at in detail, Sally! You've put into words what I've been struggling to do for absolutely ages, so thanks very much indeed! :) I'll be covering this in my bit for Violets later this month.. -- Helen_A -- Girlsown mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] For self-administration and access to archives see http://home.it.net.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/girlsown For FAQs see http://www.club-web.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/girlsown/faq-0.htm
[GO] BD Sweet Violets
Sally Dore wrote: What strikes me reading Eva's notes on DFB, and contrasting them with the other authors so far mentioned, Haverfield and LMM particularly as well as some of the various American ones covered by Christine, is that DFB uses illness in many of the *plot-progressing* ways outlined by Dorian, but unlike the others, she seems not to use illnesses in the other way of varying the emotional tone, tugging heart-strings, as the others do. There are no bedside crises. The character building is more on the side of the characters who must take on responsibility because of somebody else's absence - not only illness or accidents - like Daphne gaining a new confidence in herself. Or, showing up as incompetent for responsibility. DFB is more interested than EBD in the building of plots based on the interaction of leadership and friendship inside the school community and illness is only one of the devices she uses for creating such situations. Peggy's situation in New House Captain is similar to that of Daphne even if Diana is physically well and present. If EBD etc have *more* illness in their books than real-life would have indicated at the time, surely DFB has *less* than would be representative of the times. And she doesn't even seem to use them as a way of illustrating character, indicating stoicism etc. Why? I have no real theory why. Her mother was an invalid for many years, so she had experience of illness, but perhaps she thought she had enough of if in RL? DFB seems to have used different aspects of illness and accidents when they suited her plots. The epidemic is an important plot device in New House Captain. Being somewhat delicate is part of the characterisation of Nicola Carter, which is used again as an important plot device in Captain Anne. But she's doing her best to ignore her delicacy. (I must confess this method suits me better, who grew up as a badly delicate child and never liked reading much about illness ) As I suggested, DFB is less Victorian than EBD in many aspects, though EBD shows rather modern attitudes in some politic issues. But I think the idfference is mainly due to DFB's basic interest in the interaction of characters and plot. Eva Margareta (suffering from an ordinary banal cold) -- Girlsown mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] For self-administration and access to archives see http://home.it.net.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/girlsown For FAQs see http://www.club-web.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/girlsown/faq-0.htm
[GO] BD Sweet Violets
Barbara's fascinating notes on mothers illustrated most of the uses of illnesses in children's books that Dorian and the subsequent discussion had put forward. What strikes me reading Eva's notes on DFB, and contrasting them with the other authors so far mentioned, Haverfield and LMM particularly as well as some of the various American ones covered by Christine, is that DFB uses illness in many of the *plot-progressing* ways outlined by Dorian, but unlike the others, she seems not to use illnesses in the other way of varying the emotional tone, tugging heart-strings, as the others do. There are no bedside crises. If EBD etc have *more* illness in their books than real-life would have indicated at the time, surely DFB has *less* than would be representative of the times. And she doesn't even seem to use them as a way of illustrating character, indicating stoicism etc. Why? Sally -- Girlsown mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] For self-administration and access to archives see http://home.it.net.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/girlsown For FAQs see http://www.club-web.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/girlsown/faq-0.htm
Re: [GO] BD Sweet Violets: social class and germs
Ann wrote > I would have expected Australian books to be less class-ridden than > English, but this doesn't seem to be the case for Turner. Ethel Turner was born in England though, so perhaps English attitudes are to be expected. Her mother brought Ethel and her sisters to Australia when she was about 10. A semi-autobiographical novel of her early life is "Three little maids". Maybe Australia is not as class ridden as England, but there are definitely classes! The squattocracy that Mary Grant Bruce was so fond of for example - and as a contrast to the lordly wonderful types at Billabong, the poor subsistance farmers in Anderson's Jo. Dirty, diseased, ill educated and no morals they were. Just like all their type of course. Well it must be true - I read it in a book. Cheers Di -- Girlsown mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] For self-administration and access to archives see http://home.it.net.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/girlsown For FAQs see http://www.club-web.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/girlsown/faq-0.htm
