Posted by Peter H on December 14, 2008 at 17:57:35 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Timeless & Tieless (was Captain John's Chronometer and Barometer posted by Peter Ceresole on December 14, 2008 at 15:35:51:
Apologies - I had forgotten Nancy's 'wrist watch'.
But talking of SW, there's some neat symbolism here. To my mind, watches symbolise 'civilisation' or 'nativeness' in this book. John's watch is absent, being "mended in Ipswich", thus increasing the isolation of the Swallows on their island. Nancy brings hers but 'sacrifices' it to the Eel gods before she turns 'savage'. (It ends up in Susan's tent - in a way a sort of native refuge.)