Motives and tidying up lives

Posted by Constanza on April 23, 1998 at 17:59:10:

In response to Yes, but..., written by Karen R on April 22, 1998 at 17:02:18

As you have said, Flora acknowledges that when she found a relative who is willing to have her, she will take her or him in hand, and alter his or her character or mode of living to suit her own taste. And when asked by Mrs. Smiling if she ever intends to work, she says that she "would like to write a novel as good as Persuasion, but with a modern setting" and that "for the next thirty years or so" she will "be collecting material for it".

However those two reasons do not account for her choosing CCF above and instead the other places offered to her. CCF cannot provide material for a modern Persuasion and the task of reforming its inhabitants seems far more difficult that in the case of the other relatives.

Of course she gives Mary reasonable (for her) reasons why she cannot go to South Kensington, Scotland and Rosedale, but I think that the "actual reason" is that CCF is the only place that may provide Flora with the exactly degree of attention and company she wants.

In South Kensington, she would have had to compete against phenomena (which no doubt her mother's cousin finds more interesting); in Scotland there would be only one person to domesticate, and he is already engrossed with his trouble; and Rosedale's description ("full of people" "jolly young people living next door") seems much like the kind of party she abhorrs. So, you see, CCF is the only place left.

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REPLIES:

• Don't forget mystery! Cheryl 20:18:15 4/23/98 (4)
  • Flora's motivation Kay 10:44:28 4/24/98 (3)
    • It looks like a "while" but Constanza 17:17:44 4/24/98 (1)
      • BTW: time and setting Constanza 18:03:20 4/24/98 (0)
    • Why She Goes Where She Goes Karen R 17:13:18 4/24/98 (0)

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