Posted by andyb on October 05, 2004 at 18:44:42 from 81.131.23.212 user beardbiter.
Listening to S&A in the car last night, I noticed it was John who drew the map complete with octopuses etc (although he did complain that he couldn't draw them). In SW, of course, this is Titty's job. Interesting how her role switched from literary romancer to artist with the arrival of Dorothea, although, I also noted all the children contributed to the "Shipwreck and Storm" story.
I haven't acutally read the blessed tome for sometime and the tape gave me a new take on it. I was very struck by the way Ransome deals with emotion, honour and conscience throughout the story, especially John being falsely accused. It is tempting to see it as an example of the 'stiff upper lip' in action, and in a sense it is, but AR lets us see the effort and the sensitive support from others needed to maintain this poise. Was this the begining of the end for the SUL I wonder?