Flora's detachment
Posted by Kay on April 30, 1998 at 12:39:47:
I find a certain detachment in Flora that's a little repellent. It's almost like she values order more than human feelings. I'm thinking of two quotes. From Chapter 12: "If she succeeded in making Dick Hawk-Monitor propose to Elfine it would be a successful geste in the face of the Starkadders. It would be a triumph of the Higher Common Sense over Aunt Ada Doom. It would be a victory for Flora's philosohy of life over the subconscious life-philosophy of the Starkadders. It would be like a splendid deer stepping haugtily across a ploughed field."
And from Chapter 13: "The dress cost 50 guineas but Flora did not grudge the sum. She felt at this moment that any sum would have been sacrifieced by her to score off the Starkadders."
Flora considers Elfine as a project and "forced Elfine as a gardener skilfully forces a flower in a hothouse." Of course, in "Emma" Harriet Smith is also Emma's project, and although Emma's meddling is often ill-advised, you can sense some friendship there.
On the other hand, the detached Flora is actually able to read with Elfine and improve her mind. I'd really like to read others' opinions about Flora. Do others feel a sense of detachment? Does anyone see any real friendships growing between Flora and her relatives?
- Stiff Upper Lip Paulina 10:52:14 5/02/98
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- A Parody after all Kay 10:56:15 5/03/98
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- A Parody after all Kay 10:56:15 5/03/98
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- Emma and Flora Constanza 17:52:11 4/30/98
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- She's On a Mission Karen R 16:35:16 4/30/98
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