Posted by Peter H on August 30, 2007 at 18:55:01 from 81.153.238.205 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: The GA's world view posted by Jock on August 30, 2007 at 06:16:09:
Maybe here we can find AR's elusive 'message' alluded to by Peter H?
But there is nothing 'elusive' about AR's message - it is clarion-clear on every page! The value of teamwork, appreciation of others, the delight of playing games but the need also to drop them when things get serious (Nancy's total agreement with Susan that adults must be informed of Titty's disappearance), complete honesty coupled with the ability to forgive and not hold grudges (Capn Flint and John), courtesy to all others whether or not they are of a different 'class' (see TarBoard passim recently), humorous tolerance of children ('Peggy you awful child!'), and don't be too hard on yourself (Dick's first attempt at hoisting sail). I could go on for pages . . . . . . . . How many messages do you want?
Whilst I agree that the G.A. can be excused a lot on the ground that she was stranded in a different age, to my mind she cannot be excused for her harshness to Mrs Blackett, driving her to tears, her mean-spirited fussiness over Capn Flint's pipe, and her arrogance with household staff (banging the gong and sitting at the table until the meal was served). Guilty as charged.