Posted by Magnus Smith on June 17, 2011 at 02:58:51 user Magnus.
In Reply to: Re: Nancy and Peggy posted by ROGER Wardale on June 16, 2011 at 12:42:44:
Hmmm, I was about to defend myself, since I know I haven't fallen into that trap....when I realised RogerW is right; my statement does imply it. I feel silly now!
I wasn't suggesting Ransome knew someone in particular, and based all Peggy's (or indeed Nancy's) character traits on that person. However, I do believe that a vast number of character traits, incidents and objects in Ransome's books were drawn from personal observation. Now this is how a lot of writers work, but I feel things are very noticeable in Ransome's works, the more you read about his life (or maybe I don't read enough other books?!).
I agree the matching of names to the Altounyans does not suggest their personalities matched - they said so themselves.
So my original "I wonder" statement should have reflected all the above! I guess that in wondering why he had not fleshed out Peggy's character quite as much as the other children, I was curious as to which real-life observations he was working into her personality. Rather hard to explain, sorry.