Posted by PeterH on September 08, 2006 at 12:25:28 from 86.140.53.83 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Commander and Mrs Walker (was Bob & his history) posted by Jock on September 07, 2006 at 23:36:29:
Good point, Laurence
Well no, with respect, it isn't, because my argument was not about the reality of the Walkers' marital relationship - the passages Laurence quotes simply confirm that it was perfectly normal and affectionate. No one is saying it wasn't. What I am arguing is that AR wasn't really interested in it. Compare the precision with which the 'Billies' relationship is conveyed, or Mary Swainson and her grandfather. I remain convinced that Ransome shied away from having 'Mum, Dad, & two and a half children' families in the stories, and was fascinated by other less orthodox set-ups. I greatly admire this, and in a way it is one of the things that makes Ransome's writing thoroughly acceptable today.
(Jock - beware - despite your post above, you may find my thesis on 'AR and Dysfunctional Households' landing on your doorstep for 'Duffers' . .)