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I can live with this.
Nov. 27th, 2001 06:04 pm | Eowyn If I were a character in The Lord of the Rings, I would be Eowyn, Woman of Rohan, niece of King Theoden and sister of Eomer. In the movie, I am played by Miranda Otto. Who would you be? |
Nov. 27th, 2001
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Nov. 27th, 2001 06:05 pmHindle Wakes by Stanley Houghton is about a couple of girls, millhands, in 1912, who meet up with the son of the mill owner. One girl (Fanny) goes off with the son (Alan) for the weekend, and her friend is supposed to cover for her.
Unfortunately, the friend is killed in an accident and the postcard Fanny gave her to post is found in her goods by Fanny's father. He and the mill owner both started work together years before, so his wife insists (and the mill owner agrees) that the couple must marry, despite Alan being engaged to Beatrice.
Alan is pushed around by his father (although his mother was looking forward to the match with the more socially acceptable Beatrice).
It doesn't sound so special yet, does it? But Fanny turns up at the family interview in her shawl and working clothes, and when the otehrs are trying to decide between a quiet registry job or a church wedding, she objects. And this is where the whole thing comes alive.
FANNY: It's very good of you. You'll hire the parson and get the license and make all the arrangements on your own without consulting me, and I shall have nothing to do save turn up meek as a lamb at the church or registry office or whatever it is.... That's just where you make the mistake. I don't want to marry Alan.... I mean what I say, and I'll trouble you to talk to me without swearing at me. I'm not one of the family yet.
Then Alan takes her aside and tries to speak sense to her. His family have threatened to cut him off if he doesn't do the right thing...
ALAN: I'm going to fall between two stools. It's all up with Beatrice, of course. And if you won't have me I shall have parted from her to no purpose; besides getting kicked out of the house by my father, more than likely! You said you were fond of me once, but it hasn't taken you long to alter.
FANNY: All women aren't built alike. Beatrice is religious. She'll be sorry for you. I was fond of you in a way.
ALAN: But you didn't ever really love me?
FANNY: Love you ? Good heavens, of course not! Why on earth should I love you? You were just someone to have a bit of fun with.. You were an amusement, a lark. How much more did you care for me?
ALAN: But it's not the same. I'm a man.
FANNY: You're a man, and I was your little fancy. Well, I'm a woman, and you were my little fancy. You wouldn't prevent a woman enjoying herself as well as a man, if she takes it into her head?
Remember that this was written in 1912 and set then as well. Seeing a woman stand up for herself, refusing to be forced into the marriage, and yet not being a "loose woman"...
FANNY: No fear! You're not good enough for me. The chap Fanny Hawthorn weds has got to be made of different stuff from you, my lad. My husband, if ever I have one, will be a man, not a fellow who'll throw over his girl at his father's bidding! Strikes me the sons of these rich manufacturers are all much alike. They seem a bit weak in the upper story. It's their father's brass that's too much for them, happen! . . . You've no call to be afraid. I'm not going to disgrace you. But so long as I've to live my own life I don't see why I shouldn't choose what it's to be.
I salute her, and the man who wrote her.
Unfortunately, the friend is killed in an accident and the postcard Fanny gave her to post is found in her goods by Fanny's father. He and the mill owner both started work together years before, so his wife insists (and the mill owner agrees) that the couple must marry, despite Alan being engaged to Beatrice.
Alan is pushed around by his father (although his mother was looking forward to the match with the more socially acceptable Beatrice).
It doesn't sound so special yet, does it? But Fanny turns up at the family interview in her shawl and working clothes, and when the otehrs are trying to decide between a quiet registry job or a church wedding, she objects. And this is where the whole thing comes alive.
FANNY: It's very good of you. You'll hire the parson and get the license and make all the arrangements on your own without consulting me, and I shall have nothing to do save turn up meek as a lamb at the church or registry office or whatever it is.... That's just where you make the mistake. I don't want to marry Alan.... I mean what I say, and I'll trouble you to talk to me without swearing at me. I'm not one of the family yet.
Then Alan takes her aside and tries to speak sense to her. His family have threatened to cut him off if he doesn't do the right thing...
ALAN: I'm going to fall between two stools. It's all up with Beatrice, of course. And if you won't have me I shall have parted from her to no purpose; besides getting kicked out of the house by my father, more than likely! You said you were fond of me once, but it hasn't taken you long to alter.
FANNY: All women aren't built alike. Beatrice is religious. She'll be sorry for you. I was fond of you in a way.
ALAN: But you didn't ever really love me?
FANNY: Love you ? Good heavens, of course not! Why on earth should I love you? You were just someone to have a bit of fun with.. You were an amusement, a lark. How much more did you care for me?
ALAN: But it's not the same. I'm a man.
FANNY: You're a man, and I was your little fancy. Well, I'm a woman, and you were my little fancy. You wouldn't prevent a woman enjoying herself as well as a man, if she takes it into her head?
Remember that this was written in 1912 and set then as well. Seeing a woman stand up for herself, refusing to be forced into the marriage, and yet not being a "loose woman"...
FANNY: No fear! You're not good enough for me. The chap Fanny Hawthorn weds has got to be made of different stuff from you, my lad. My husband, if ever I have one, will be a man, not a fellow who'll throw over his girl at his father's bidding! Strikes me the sons of these rich manufacturers are all much alike. They seem a bit weak in the upper story. It's their father's brass that's too much for them, happen! . . . You've no call to be afraid. I'm not going to disgrace you. But so long as I've to live my own life I don't see why I shouldn't choose what it's to be.
I salute her, and the man who wrote her.
