Araminta was poor before this - at least, her wardrobe was nothing to write home about. So I can see where she would revel in her nice new clothes. But Betts has her dress up to go to the country, which seems strange. Here's the quote (p. 151): "...since they hoped to spend the weekend walking and pottering in the garden, Araminta wore the suede jacket and one of her new skirts with a silk shirt and cashmere sweater. She wore sensible shoes too..."
Well, I'd hope she wore sensible shoes! Because honestly, this is a really odd outfit to wear for gardening, in that sort of bathing-horses-in-champagne way. Why not wear an old skirt?
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Bachelor's Wedding, chapter 8
Wow, this book is going quickly!
I have to introduce a new label: adopted pet. This refers to the bedraggled pets that Betts characters adopt. These pets are always handy for establishing a character as thoughtful and caring. Betts heroines have been known to adopt pets even when they are very poor. Araminta finds this one on the doorstep of the cottage, which they visit in this chapter. In this case, the pet serves as something for Vicky to mock when she comes over, and for Jason to defend.
Araminta continues to be in love with Jason, and at the very end of the chapter, he realizes he's in love with her.
I have quite a bit more to say about this chapter - well, two long comments, which I feel would be better in separate posts.
I have to introduce a new label: adopted pet. This refers to the bedraggled pets that Betts characters adopt. These pets are always handy for establishing a character as thoughtful and caring. Betts heroines have been known to adopt pets even when they are very poor. Araminta finds this one on the doorstep of the cottage, which they visit in this chapter. In this case, the pet serves as something for Vicky to mock when she comes over, and for Jason to defend.
Araminta continues to be in love with Jason, and at the very end of the chapter, he realizes he's in love with her.
I have quite a bit more to say about this chapter - well, two long comments, which I feel would be better in separate posts.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Bachelor's Wedding, chapter 7
Araminta and Jason get married at the beginning of the chapter. Alice doesn't even attend; Mr. Smith does, to give Araminta away, but skedaddles off tout de suite with the comment that he has to go take Alice out to lunch.
Araminta has a wedding day (and first days after) that would be atypical for anyone but a Betts heroine: Jason works quite a bit, and she is left to learn about the house on her own. She gets some tapestry to do, and Jason takes her to Harrods for a shopping spree. Essentially, she needs a whole new wardrobe; not even her wedding suit is quite good enough.
At the very end of the chapter, Araminta realizes she is in love with Jason, and probably has been for a while. She's sensible about it, though, and decides to have a good try at winning his love (with the help of a good clothes, careful makeup and well-dressed hair, natch).
Araminta has a wedding day (and first days after) that would be atypical for anyone but a Betts heroine: Jason works quite a bit, and she is left to learn about the house on her own. She gets some tapestry to do, and Jason takes her to Harrods for a shopping spree. Essentially, she needs a whole new wardrobe; not even her wedding suit is quite good enough.
At the very end of the chapter, Araminta realizes she is in love with Jason, and probably has been for a while. She's sensible about it, though, and decides to have a good try at winning his love (with the help of a good clothes, careful makeup and well-dressed hair, natch).
Friday, December 21, 2007
Bachelor's Wedding, chapter 6
Of course, Araminta makes up her mind to marry Jason. He comes over to help her break the news to Mr. Smith and Alice, who are rather rude about it. Indeed, once they get Araminta alone, Alice is indignant that Araminta is leaving them in the lurch, and Mr. Smith doubts Araminta's future happiness, predicting that "he'll probably be ashamed of you among all his lofty friends" (p. 110).
After agreeing to marry Jason, Araminta realizes that she doesn't know much about him. Really! Here's what she says: "I'll marry you whenever you want me to, but I don't know anything about you - only that you are a surgeon and live here." (p. 106. My SO commented that she has a pretty bad home life, so of course she wants to escape - anything is better than the alternative. Good point). Anyway, Jason laughes and replies (as so many Betts heroes do): "Supposing we get married first and take our time to get to know each other later?"
See, here's where the wheels fall off the "Araminta is sensible" theory, because - really! I know arranged marriages work well in quite a few cultures, and marrying for love isn't all it's cracked up to be, but in this case they would both be equally well-served with a bit more assertiveness. Then Araminta could leave home and be trained for a career, and Jason could say no to all those women who call up to ask him out. To her credit, she does reflect that "she must be out of her mind" (p. 107).
Jason sends Mr. Smith money to pass on to Araminta so she can buy a wedding outfit. Predictably, Mr. Smith takes half of it for Alice. Araminta still manages to buy a burgundy and dark green suit, with a hat to match.
Jason mentions his second house, a cottage in Essex with a large garden.
After agreeing to marry Jason, Araminta realizes that she doesn't know much about him. Really! Here's what she says: "I'll marry you whenever you want me to, but I don't know anything about you - only that you are a surgeon and live here." (p. 106. My SO commented that she has a pretty bad home life, so of course she wants to escape - anything is better than the alternative. Good point). Anyway, Jason laughes and replies (as so many Betts heroes do): "Supposing we get married first and take our time to get to know each other later?"
See, here's where the wheels fall off the "Araminta is sensible" theory, because - really! I know arranged marriages work well in quite a few cultures, and marrying for love isn't all it's cracked up to be, but in this case they would both be equally well-served with a bit more assertiveness. Then Araminta could leave home and be trained for a career, and Jason could say no to all those women who call up to ask him out. To her credit, she does reflect that "she must be out of her mind" (p. 107).
Jason sends Mr. Smith money to pass on to Araminta so she can buy a wedding outfit. Predictably, Mr. Smith takes half of it for Alice. Araminta still manages to buy a burgundy and dark green suit, with a hat to match.
Jason mentions his second house, a cottage in Essex with a large garden.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Bachelor's Wedding, chapter 5
OK, I put off writing about this chapter for about an hour, because I have no idea how to describe it. It was crazy.
First of all, I should say that I like Araminta here. She's reasonably assertive but not a jerk, she doesn't lose her head, and she keeps her mouth shut under provocation. While I suspect that she is secretly in love with Jason, she's not being foolish about it. Sadly, it's safe to predict that Araminta will become much more emotional and foolish before the book is over.
Araminta's new job is a bad one: she's taking care of a fairly helpless woman for three hours every morning. Not totally helpless, given that she manages to eat a box of chocolates, but pretty incapable of doing anything for herself. Araminta's employer is over-the-top Victorian, refusing to let Araminta leave on time, and grumbling when Araminta wants to take her day off.
Mr Smith has gone around the bend as well. He and Alice continue to be extravagant, and he won't even hear of Alice getting a job. Happily, Araminta realizes how foolish her father is. After he looks mournful about "the sorrow your selfishness causes me", Araminta sails past it: "Father, you sound like someone in a Victorian novel. Have some more pudding?" (p. 88)
But the craziest, most Victorian, most Betts-at-her-wackiest character is Jason. Araminta comes out of work on Saturday to find Jason waiting in the Rolls for her. He'd rung up the agency to find out where she was, and why this didn't ring alarm bells for the agency's or in Araminta's head, I don't know.
Jason takes Araminta out to lunch, orders for her (even though they're not eating anywhere formal at all), and then responds to Araminta's description of her job with: "Of course you cannot go back to that dreadful woman. I'll see the agency and arrange for you to leave as from today." (p. 96). An aghast Araminta protests this, on the grounds that she needs the money, but he keeps on going.
He asks her not to interrupt, and then tells her that he has decided to marry. He wants someone to come home to at the end of the day; he's not in love, he makes clear, but he'll settle for second-best. Sensible Araminta asks why he is telling her this, and he responds: "I considered it right to explain my feelings before I ask you to marry me, Araminta" (p. 97). She protests that he doesn't know anything about her (which is essentially true - and though Araminta doesn't know it, it has only been a week since he considered marrying anyone at all, let alone her).
He goes on to insist (Jason's word, not mine) that regardless of whether she decides to marry him, Araminta must give up her dreadful that day. That hour! And so he does, and now Araminta is unemployed. She says goodbye to him thus: "Thank you for my lovely lunch, and thank you for proposing to me. Shall I write and let you know?" (p. 99). And then she asks the vicar for advice - much more sound than the Betts heroine (can't remember who) who asks the Betts hero for advice about what to do about the Betts hero.
In case it's not clear, I like Araminta - she's so sensible in the face of melodrama! Sadly, I expect she'll say yes to the proposal in the next chapter, and become a typical Betts lovefool in the chapters to follow. So: a moment of silence for the sensible Araminta!
First of all, I should say that I like Araminta here. She's reasonably assertive but not a jerk, she doesn't lose her head, and she keeps her mouth shut under provocation. While I suspect that she is secretly in love with Jason, she's not being foolish about it. Sadly, it's safe to predict that Araminta will become much more emotional and foolish before the book is over.
Araminta's new job is a bad one: she's taking care of a fairly helpless woman for three hours every morning. Not totally helpless, given that she manages to eat a box of chocolates, but pretty incapable of doing anything for herself. Araminta's employer is over-the-top Victorian, refusing to let Araminta leave on time, and grumbling when Araminta wants to take her day off.
Mr Smith has gone around the bend as well. He and Alice continue to be extravagant, and he won't even hear of Alice getting a job. Happily, Araminta realizes how foolish her father is. After he looks mournful about "the sorrow your selfishness causes me", Araminta sails past it: "Father, you sound like someone in a Victorian novel. Have some more pudding?" (p. 88)
But the craziest, most Victorian, most Betts-at-her-wackiest character is Jason. Araminta comes out of work on Saturday to find Jason waiting in the Rolls for her. He'd rung up the agency to find out where she was, and why this didn't ring alarm bells for the agency's or in Araminta's head, I don't know.
Jason takes Araminta out to lunch, orders for her (even though they're not eating anywhere formal at all), and then responds to Araminta's description of her job with: "Of course you cannot go back to that dreadful woman. I'll see the agency and arrange for you to leave as from today." (p. 96). An aghast Araminta protests this, on the grounds that she needs the money, but he keeps on going.
He asks her not to interrupt, and then tells her that he has decided to marry. He wants someone to come home to at the end of the day; he's not in love, he makes clear, but he'll settle for second-best. Sensible Araminta asks why he is telling her this, and he responds: "I considered it right to explain my feelings before I ask you to marry me, Araminta" (p. 97). She protests that he doesn't know anything about her (which is essentially true - and though Araminta doesn't know it, it has only been a week since he considered marrying anyone at all, let alone her).
He goes on to insist (Jason's word, not mine) that regardless of whether she decides to marry him, Araminta must give up her dreadful that day. That hour! And so he does, and now Araminta is unemployed. She says goodbye to him thus: "Thank you for my lovely lunch, and thank you for proposing to me. Shall I write and let you know?" (p. 99). And then she asks the vicar for advice - much more sound than the Betts heroine (can't remember who) who asks the Betts hero for advice about what to do about the Betts hero.
In case it's not clear, I like Araminta - she's so sensible in the face of melodrama! Sadly, I expect she'll say yes to the proposal in the next chapter, and become a typical Betts lovefool in the chapters to follow. So: a moment of silence for the sensible Araminta!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Bachelor's Wedding, chapter 4
In this chapter, Jason's sister comes back from Chile, so Araminta finishes her job with the family. Jason's sister notices Jason's tendency to refer to Araminta as "Miss Smith", and the way he reacts to her, and draws a few conclusions. Jason's nowhere near drawing those conclusions on his own, though in this chapter he starts to think about how pleasant it would be to come home to a restful woman. He's aware that Araminta is restful, but he hasn't made the connection yet.
Jason gives Araminta a ride back to her home, and she walks into a dirty home: dishes and pans unwashed, dust everywhere, laundry undone. Alice has been to the doctor since Araminta was home, and reports that she's well, but refuses to get a job (even though Araminta, the Gallant of this story, has already arranged for a new job that starts the next morning). So in an unusual show of assertiveness, Araminta does her own laundry, but refuses to do Alice's (Alice had said she would not get a job because she would do the housework, though clearly she's unwilling to do even that). To add insult to injury, Alice and Mr. Smith have racked up a bunch of bills because Alice spent the housekeeping money on a faux-leather jacket. Araminta ends the chapter reflecting that she will never escape her family; even after Alice marries, Araminta will have to stay home to make sure her irresponsible father stays solvent.
This got an other car tag, because Jason drives a Rolls! He also - and this is crazy, so brace yourself - has an actual personality trait, one that his shrill friend Vicky recognizes: he likes to read. In this chapter, he has another free hour, and reads Homer (Betts doesn't say whether it's a translation, though).
Jason gives Araminta a ride back to her home, and she walks into a dirty home: dishes and pans unwashed, dust everywhere, laundry undone. Alice has been to the doctor since Araminta was home, and reports that she's well, but refuses to get a job (even though Araminta, the Gallant of this story, has already arranged for a new job that starts the next morning). So in an unusual show of assertiveness, Araminta does her own laundry, but refuses to do Alice's (Alice had said she would not get a job because she would do the housework, though clearly she's unwilling to do even that). To add insult to injury, Alice and Mr. Smith have racked up a bunch of bills because Alice spent the housekeeping money on a faux-leather jacket. Araminta ends the chapter reflecting that she will never escape her family; even after Alice marries, Araminta will have to stay home to make sure her irresponsible father stays solvent.
This got an other car tag, because Jason drives a Rolls! He also - and this is crazy, so brace yourself - has an actual personality trait, one that his shrill friend Vicky recognizes: he likes to read. In this chapter, he has another free hour, and reads Homer (Betts doesn't say whether it's a translation, though).
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Bachelor's Wedding, chapter 3
Why is this book called The Bachelor's Wedding? it's never about the bachelor, not really. Well, I suppose they can't all be called Marrying a Doctor (and there is one called that, by the way. I find it refreshingly direct).
Araminta continues to work for Jason's niece and nephew. This chapter covers their first week back to school. They're still rude to Araminta, but she's coping well.
The oddest thing in the chapter (or in quite a few Bettses) is Araminta's wish to become successful and rich. She wants people to think of her as clever, and muses that "'I'd have enough money to buy lovely clothes...' She thought for a bit. 'And a different face!'" (p. 61). Ok, whoa. Did a Betts heroine just wish for plastic surgery? She doesn't wish she looks different, she says she could buy a different face. Crazy!
Jason comes to see them at the weekend. He surprises Araminta in her bathrobe, with her hair down, getting morning tea. Later, he's a bit creepy: "'You have very nice legs, Miss Smith.' His eyes were on her face....He was staring at her like a hawk." (p. 62).
Araminta continues to work for Jason's niece and nephew. This chapter covers their first week back to school. They're still rude to Araminta, but she's coping well.
The oddest thing in the chapter (or in quite a few Bettses) is Araminta's wish to become successful and rich. She wants people to think of her as clever, and muses that "'I'd have enough money to buy lovely clothes...' She thought for a bit. 'And a different face!'" (p. 61). Ok, whoa. Did a Betts heroine just wish for plastic surgery? She doesn't wish she looks different, she says she could buy a different face. Crazy!
Jason comes to see them at the weekend. He surprises Araminta in her bathrobe, with her hair down, getting morning tea. Later, he's a bit creepy: "'You have very nice legs, Miss Smith.' His eyes were on her face....He was staring at her like a hawk." (p. 62).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
