Posted by Ed Kiser on March 26, 2006 at 20:31:10 from 64.12.116.6 user Kisered.
In Reply to: Re: Missee Lee and Peter Duck posted by Fiona on March 26, 2006 at 19:29:29:
The concept of "made up" stories, theoretically written by the children themselves, seems to support how the boat, SWALLOW, was involved in these adventures. The Walker children always spoke of the Swallow as being THEIR ship. She belonged to them. But such is not really the case, as the Swallow actually belongs to the Jacksons of Holly Howe. They just let their guests use the boat while rooming with them at the lake during the Holidays. But to take the Swallow away from Holly Howe for a pair of international adventures is stretching the Jacksons' generosity a bit too much. When making up an imaginary story, the children do not have to worry about things like legal ownership, but just continue to think of the Swallow as THEIR ship, bullet hole and all.
As for GN being a "made up" story - I cannot feel that way. It is more of a "curtain call" for his beloved characters. It is really their farewell, a place where both the Swallows and the Amazons and the D's can feel to be on equal terms, not being on anyone's home turf.
We see the conflict that happened when Amazons tried to join the expedition already in progress with a work plan already decided by the Swallows in Secret Water. Nancy was a reluctant co-worker on that one, wanting to redirect resources to playing "war", on playing games, not on surveying.
But in GN, we see these two teams on a more equal level, and in fact, it is a chance for Dick to shine, and to take the lead, finally, in their farewell appearance.
Coots in the North was just an afterthought, with the heart not really into the project. Illness can distract the mind. Perhaps it was his hope that this would be the true curtain call for ALL his characters, including the D&G group. Wonder if he meant ever to get the Eels into that one... Somehow, CN is just not in the group; it never made it.
Ed Kiser, South Florida