Re: How old...? (Again??)


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Previous # Next ] [ Start New Thread ] [ TarBoard ]

Posted by Mountaineer on November 05, 2008 at 22:02:40 user Mountaineer.

In Reply to: Re: How old...? (Again??) posted by Robert Hill on November 05, 2008 at 20:57:00:

I think some slight inconsistencies are hard to avoid. In the first book the biggest age gap (also the one that matters the most for the action) seems to be between Titty and Roger. Although they are clearly the younger ones, Titty is deemed old enough to stay on the island on her own, if only barely so. She can also handle the boat at night rather well. Of course this is a rather heroic feat, certainly stretching her abilities and courage.
Later on, Dick and Dot are always classified with the younger ones, although Dot herself states that Peggy couldn't be much older than herself. And despite their inexperience with outdoor activities, the Ds always seem a little older to me. Dick must be at least a year older than Roger, he seems so much mature (even if he's a prodigy and his knowledge of chemistry etc. is a little exaggerated for plot purposes)
So Peggy must be the youngest of the 4 Elders, and except for Dot, there must be a gap of at least 2 years. But Peggy is described as tall as John in S&A, which points to an age closer to John and Nancy.

Finally, i don't know about the quality and curricula of Public Schools in the 30ties, but it's not really feasible that Roger in ML could have studied Latin for more than one or two years (at age 10-11); it's hard to believe that he should do better than John who must be five years older! (And that he should be able to do Virgil at all. That stuff is rather beastly, even after 5-6 years)
Another hint: Titty is studying French verbs in SD, so she must have started French in the school year between S&A and SD. Again, I don't know about elite boarding schools in 1930, but she must be at least 9 in S&A, probably 10. But that would place her to close to Susan who is only 1,5 years younger than John (we roughly know their birthdays)

But that's nitpicking, that should'nt distract anyone from enjoying the books.

Johannes





Follow Ups:



Post a Followup

Name:
Eel-Mail:

Existing subject (please edit appropriately) :

or is it time to start a New Thread?

Comments:

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

post direct to TarBoard test post first

Before posting it is necessary to be a registered user.


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TarBoard ]