Posted by Geraint Lewis on June 21, 2007 at 06:10:38 from 194.164.38.65 user Geraint_Lewis.
In Reply to: What would Susan's story be? posted by Pam Adams on June 20, 2007 at 22:47:41:
Pam
How about Peter Duck?
"Thanks to Susan", said Captain Flint, patting the mate on the back, lifting his mug of tea to her and swallowing all that was left in it. "Thanks to Susan, we'll do him yet. We'll carry right on. We've more than enough water to last."
Admittedly this incident doesn't form a major part of the text. And if I recall correctly it says earlier that Susan and Peggy were doing the store keeping and water mathematics together. But it is significant: without Susan's contribution here, they couldn't have reached Crab Island ahead of the Viper, and thus the treasure hunting, etc could not have taken place. In short, Susan made a vital contribution. Nancy pointed this out earlier at Cowes, when trying to persuade Susan to support the treasure hunt:
"If there aren't any shops on the way, what are you going to do? It really all depends on you and Peggy making the food and water last out."
And then, of course, it was Susan whose change of mind did allow the voyage to proceed:
'...But it was Susan who, in the end, gave the deciding vote.
"Whatever it is," she said, "Black Jake ought not to have it. Peggy and I were counting things all yesterday, because of what you said in Cowes. We've got enough for a very long time." '
And then...
"I think we ought to go," said Susan. "Black Jake's almost a murderer. He oughtn't be allowed to get it after this."
At which point the issue is decided. It might be going to far to say that Susan's story/role was the major theme in Peter Duck, but it does look as if it was a vital one without which the book could not have developed as it did. Perhaps this was "Susan's chance to shine"?
Geraint