Posted by Colin Havard on February 27, 1997 at 16:27:40:
In Reply to: Swallows and Amazons: Was the Great Aunt there? posted by peter on February 24, 1997 at 21:03:15:
This is interesting conjecture but I don't think the evidence is conclusive. The Blackett girls were in a different situation from the Walkers. The Swallows were "on holiday" (i.e. away from home) while the Amazons were "in holiday time" (i.e. out of school) at home.
In the thirties well brought up children (even if they were tomboys) were expected to attend an occasional lunch if there were guests (Colonel Jolys perhaps), to spend some time on their "Holiday Tasks" (see Swallowdale) and be involved in chores (gardening etc.) even in a very permissive household. Only when you were "on holiday" and away from home would you expect to be free of almost all commitments.
So I do not think there is any need to summon up the Great Aunt to explain the relatively mild restrictions on Nancy's and Peggy's freedom of movement in Swallows and Amazons.