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There is an idiosyncratic slide, moving from the omniscient narrator’s opening reflection on the parable of the “wise and foolish builders,” to Theophilus (Theo) Blackmore’s own seemingly spontaneous reflection on “Sand! sand!” in his meeting with Viscountess Allworth. It is almost as though the narrator informs as much as observes the character’s consciousness. To date, Smith’s… Read more
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Sometimes the anomalies in a text can provide a starting point to explore possibilities of meaning that aren’t immediately evident. The first such a one in this chapter is striking: Smith’s misquotation from Romeo and Juliet, which ought to read: These violent delights have violent ends, And in their triumph die. (2.6) An erroneous word,… Read more
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Philosophical Victorian John Stuart Mill considered his era an “age of transition.” Certain critical transitions, such as those we touched upon in the previous instalment, were visited by the industrial revolution. British cultural anthropologist Victor Turner’s (1920-33) idea of liminality is worthy of a mention in the context. It refers to a “betwixt and between”… Read more
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In the previous chapter, Clara expresses her relief when William turns out to be a gentleman, as is borne out by the credentials printed on his card and his reputation as a scholar, which has become a matter of public knowledge. Lady Kate hadn’t doubted it, perhaps thanks to her greater sensitivity to him and… Read more
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Old newspapers are not much cared about and are often applied to undignified functions, recalling Dryden: From dusty shops neglected authors come, Martyrs of pies, and relics of the bum. (‘Mac Flecknoe’) or tossed on the rubbish heap, as in Joyce: About that original hen. Midwinter (fruur or kuur?) was in the offing and Premver… Read more
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