Posted by PeterH on December 06, 2006 at 16:10:10 from 86.130.137.218 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: the 'people's sheep' factor (was UHT milk posted by Peter Ceresole on December 06, 2006 at 13:52:29:
But they are full of assumed values which do relate to class, wealth, plumbing and all those unavoidable things.
You're right of course. I suppose that being aware of these factors is, for me at least, part of the disadvantage of reading AR as an adult. As adults, we are aware that the mores of the 1930s were far from perfect. Ideally, like Peter we should just 'get on and enjoy' the AR books, but having been made aware of the Lakeside class set-up I can never quite take warmly to all the characters as I used to. Yet another of life's sad lessons, I suppose, and proof that participation in such organisations as TARS and TarBoard can occasionally tell you things you would rather not have been made aware of.
Still, there are little things one can do which help (if one feels the need). Eg, before reading, say, Swallowdale, I say to myself (quite loudly) 'I don't give a XXXX if half the characters in this story are rich property-owning snobs - who cares - good for them!' and then get on and enjoy the story as best I can.