Quiet
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Posted by Karen R on November 03, 1997 at 15:01:37:
I did find the perfect definition of "quiet," as it has been used to describe the relationships that existed between Christabel and Blanche, Randolph and Ellen, and Roland and Val. On p.309, after Christabel and Randolph have made love and she has been crying, she says: "Ah, how can we bear it?" Ash's reply: "We can be quiet together, and pretend--since it is only the beginning--that we have all the time in the world." Being quiet is to pretend. Having conversation, real conversation, that people like Christabel and Randolph and Roland and Maud embark upon, is frightening to them because it represents the real, the physical--not the romantic idealization of love. ("Maud and Roland...were nervous of real conversation." p. 264) When they spend their day at the Boggle Hole, "the moment had come for a personal conversation. Both felt this; both were mostly willing, but inhibited." (p.293) Forgive me, but it will expose the core of their beings and encroach upon their private space--their freedom.
Interesting point though, when their relationship is about to take a giant step in the direction of intimacy, it doesn't and it doesn't, with parallel references to Christabel and Ash. Maud asks if he will be sorry to go back. Roland doesn't answer, but asks if she will. Her response is "This is very good bread (avoiding subject), but then "I have the impression both of us will be sorry." Christabel says the same to Ash on their way up to Yorkshire, but after her first night with him, says that she can't regret it because this is where fate was leading her. It is the "midpoint" of her life a (B.C./A.D. view)
How un-Feminist can you get?
Any thoughts on the subject? Maybe this will spark some discussion of white beds and the like??
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