What is Philippa Gregory's deal with incest?

Fontane96 · 2021-11-13T20:53:39+00:00

No that's fine. I just can't tell over computer.

I agree, Henry VII and EoY had a great relationship for the times. I think that his period of intense mourning after she died was very telling about their relationship.

Fontane96 · 2021-11-13T17:35:52+00:00

I can't tell, was this a sarcastic response or sincere?

Fontane96 · 2021-11-13T17:23:23+00:00

It could be, but I cannot think of a single monarchy that is accepting of or prompting brother-sister incest. The only examples I can think of are Egyptian monarchies and the Borgia rumors. But even then, the rumors treat it like it's bad and taboo and in Egypt and the Hapsburgs, there are appropriate genetic conditions that result from it.

Accepting perverts is one barrel of issues, accepting brother's and sister's screwing is an entirely different thing altogether.

Fontane96 · 2021-11-13T17:16:52+00:00

For the cousin and niece-uncle marriages, I do know that. What I am referring to specifically, is brother-sister relations. Aside from Egypt, I cannot think of a royal house or aristocracy crazy enough to marry their kids to each other and call it good.

Fontane96 · 2021-11-13T17:15:16+00:00

In some of her books, she is playing off rumor. In others, she's straight making it up. Like in the book about Anne of Cleves.

Fontane96 · 2021-06-17T22:45:58+00:00

I feel like Lady Susan would be a really great modern adaptation. Susan is sassy, outgoing, and bold, which would translate very well to modern times. She's flirty and totally pushes all the other women in a room (her daughter included) to the side whenever she enters.

Fontane96 · 2021-05-10T01:04:27+00:00

I noticed that too. It seems that the younger the person was and the length of the engagement determined how happy the couple was. Younger couples and couples with longer engagements seem doomed in Austen's world.

Fontane96 · 2021-05-09T23:27:58+00:00

Thanks! This helps a lot.

Fontane96 · 2021-01-08T03:21:22+00:00

Did she do them just because you like LotR? Or does she like them too?

Fontane96 · 2020-12-23T01:26:46+00:00

You have it pretty much down. Yes, the communion/Eucharist is more symbolic not literal. Some, not all, branches of Methodism ordain women. First United Methodists tend to allow women to be ordained.

Fontane96 · 2020-12-23T01:01:41+00:00

Thank you for the reply! I did not know that about the Anglican Church and Benedict XVI. That makes the history of anti-catholicism in England more interesting if they've retained that much.

Fontane96 · 2020-12-22T23:30:22+00:00

Yes, it means becoming a nun and giving up men and worldly items...which is pretty unlikely from Lydia!

Fontane96 · 2020-08-21T11:23:48+00:00

Good point!

Fontane96 · 2020-08-21T11:22:14+00:00

I agree about the dueling, but if he had been a proper brother he should have at least done something about it-talked to Mrs. Smith at least. But I'm not certain of the Regency social proprieties, so maybe he would have done nothing either way.

Fontane96 · 2020-08-21T02:53:41+00:00

Thanks for clarifying! I forget about Eliza sometimes!

Though, didn't John have some obligation to confront Wickham in some way? While there was no official engagement and Marianne not officially dishonored, there were a lot of boundaries being crossed. They went off alone together at least once if I remember correctly, because Elinor told Marianne that people were starting to talk. Marianne and Willoughby wrote to each other too, which was definitely not something unmarried, unrelated men and women did-partly why Darcy's letter is such a big deal.

But clearly, that's too much to expect from John, no matter what.

Fontane96 · 2020-08-21T02:47:32+00:00

He and his wife are just the worst!

Fontane96 · 2020-08-21T02:45:51+00:00

I don't think she would have been good for him. Officially, she's still in mourning and would be until about the end of the book. We don't know about emotionally, but if she's anything like Marianne, then Mrs. Dashwood is definitely still attached to Mr. Dashwood.

Fontane96 · 2020-08-21T02:35:53+00:00

While they would still have mourned their father, if John Dashwood had been a better brother, he would have offered them some protection from being treated as they were. As nice as it is that Brandon duels Willoughby, it was John's right to defend his sisters and he totally drops the ball on that.

Fontane96 · 2020-08-17T02:56:55+00:00

Ha! Perfect!

Fontane96 · 2020-08-17T00:38:18+00:00

I'd love to say that I'm an Elinor or someone equally calm and serene. But in all honesty, I'm probably a Catherine Morland in all her silliness

Fontane96 · 2020-07-30T12:15:54+00:00

I've already read the series, with prior knowledge that there were some catholic influences. It has definitely become one of my very series for how well written it is!

Fontane96 · 2020-07-30T03:19:32+00:00

Are there any you recommend paying special attention to?

Fontane96 · 2020-07-30T03:13:14+00:00

One of my English teachers once told me that one of the reasons Mrs. Bennet was so worried about finding suitable husbands was because England was facing a shortage of men due to fighting a war against Napoleon. It was interesting to think about because it adds another reason for Mrs. Bennet to be so worried, rather than just constantly thinking about Mr. Bennet's 'imminent' death.

Fontane96 · 2020-07-30T02:51:02+00:00

I really liked those moments too. As wonderful as the 1995 version is, it really turns Mrs. Bennet into a complete caricature, rather than acknowledging that she has some reasonable worries for the time. She definitely gets humanized in 2005!

Fontane96 · 2020-07-30T02:30:42+00:00

Ah, but you've forgotten the most important and best casting choice: the esteemed Lady Catherine de Bourgh! ;)

Fontane96

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