She's On a Mission
Posted by Karen R on April 30, 1998 at 16:35:16:
In response to Flora's detachment, written 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 tend to agree that she is detached, although I haven't yet felt repelled by this behavior, but I think it fits her objective in going to CCF. As I brought up earlier, she decided to go to stay at a relatives with the purpose of "changing" their lifestyles to suit her own tastes and to gather information for her great novel.
As substantiation, I offer the following:
On p. 108-9, there is a great description of Flora's enjoyment as being a puppetmaster, a chessmaster moving her pawns, but not sure of the outcome. There is also a reference there to her "managing an intrigue" with multiple plots that could affect the outcome of other subplots.
On p. 126, Flora's spirit is described as "a rare breed which becomes cold and pleased at the prospect of battle." I see her as a strategist, a military tactian. This is also brought up in Chapter 12 (p. 129-30):
she "detested rows and scenes, but enjoyed quietly pitting her cool will against opposition. It amused her; and when she was defeated, she withdrew in good order and lost interest in the campaign, She had little or no sporting spirit. Bloody battles to the death bored her, nor did she like other people to win.
She a military tactician who emphasizes finesse. You would have to be detached to deal with human beings and relationships in this manner.
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