Posted by JLabaree on October 21, 2005 at 14:58:43 from 216.220.235.91 user JLabaree.
In Reply to: Re: Questions about Nancy posted by Andrew Craig-Bennett on October 18, 2005 at 14:24:12:
I’m somewhat in favor of the deux ex machina view of Nancy to this extent: it’s her influence that turns what would otherwise be a normal day/week/month for a bunch of kids on vacation into an adventure worth recounting (and reading). She gives the plot a kick by getting them into trouble, encouraging them to reach beyond their normal inclinations, or simply by infusing everyone with her energy. I don’t have specific examples ready at hand, but that’s my general impression.
That may be why, as Andrew says, few people really identify with her – because she’s less real than the other characters (hence the deux bit). It’s also why I’ve always liked her. She’s got spunk. I like spunk.