Posted by John Nichols on August 03, 2005 at 16:07:31 from 165.91.196.16 user Mcneacail.
In Reply to: Re: Childers and Ransome posted by Jock on August 03, 2005 at 09:36:38:
Ethical behaviour.
If politics is about how we treat our neighbors, so that Jesus Christ was a politician from my twisted logic, then AR whilst not at the level of walking on water certainly provided me with a clear set of guiding principles in life. And for want of a better observation and referring back to the very charming Engllish lady who described an AR convention as a bunch of genteel Englishmen, to some extent this is true, but it may mask the deeper political thoughts of someone who believes everyone has a right to fish without hindrence.
I was talking to a psychologist the other day and she said that the greatest impact on the ethical behaviour of children occurs in the 10 -12 year range. We were actually discussing this point as I was an Aussie transplanted to the USA from 10 to 12, and she said that the US attitude showed in my behaviour, even thought I spoke broad Aussie.
I think the Big Six clearly shows the British system at the time in the light through which AR viewed this world. The BS is not a pretty sight from the outside. The DG's are hung drawn and quartered before they are given a chance to respond. Compare this with the executions in the US south at that time of young men (as young as 14) who were killed for looking at white women. It was a difficult times then and now. The police are plodders and without imagination, Mr Farland just wants to get it over with and presumes the boys are guilty.
It is Dot and Ella who have the idea that someone else is doing it, if only because the boys would not be that stupid. All politics is local and AR is as local as you can get.
I can think of many other incidents in the books that teach sound ethical and political behaviour. Which unfortunately as I have two tests and an assignment to do I do not hav time to pursue this point.
John