Posted by Alex Forbes on August 14, 2009 at 18:06:03 user Pitsligo.
Just finished reading P&M. Generally not my favorite, but it does have some wonderful stuff in it.
I had a thought, though: Is P&M for the Amazons what SW is for the Swallows? Most specifically, for Nancy, as for John, in that we see them stepping into adult shoes. For John, it's about the responsibility of completing his assignment, finishing the map. For Nancy, it's about putting aside what *she* wants to make sure everyone else is minimally impacted by a calamitous event.
Not to be sexist, but is there any correlation between the scenarios and the cultural gender roles of the day? I just don't know the era well enough.
We know there's some big stuff: a conscious decision was made by Mrs Blackett and CF to leave Nancy in charge of the household; Nancy's place was very specifically to be at the head of the table; Cook is upset that GA usurps Nancy's role in planning the meals; etc. Now Nancy, though her public role has been removed, must prove herself in substance without the reward of public acknowledgment.
Then, in GN? it's really about the younger crew members, the Ds in particular, as if --as has been spoken of here in the past(?)-- AR had finished with the elders and they were now in a secondary role.
And if this has already been covered a dozen times, many apologies for --once again-- being late to the party.
Thoughts?
Alex