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This is such an interesting and thought-provoking point, and it has...er...provoked some thoughts. Some are about writing, and some are about...let's say... humans. Here goes. Apologies for an overlong bit of Heyersplaining. #GeorgetteHeyerReadalong 1/14 https://twitter.com/221BPseudonym/status/1287559278220517376
I heard recently on the @fable_gazers Heyer podcast about how Heyer would imagine a big set-piece, and then have to make it work in keeping with the characters and the build-up to it. I've done this in my own writing, and tied myself in knots in the process 2/14
I think the ballroom scene was a crucial set-piece. It propelled the plot forward - provoking Phoebe's remorseful trip to France. For it to work, both Phoebe's and Sylvester's personalities had to be believable in the lead-up to this moment. I think Heyer did a great job. 3/14
We've all noticed how Phoebe collapses in the face of anger - IMO it was believable in terms of her life-experience that she should be both intrepid and passionate, yet horribly crushed by the anger of people who matter to her. 4/14
Likewise with Sylvester, Heyer has built in his shocking, unthinking (privileged) sense of entitlement. By the time of the ballroom scene, he'd already had this punctured numerous times by Phoebe. But she'd also impugned his sense of his own attractiveness... 5/14
[Impugned is one of my favourite words btw]
[I hope I used it correctly...]
...and in his view 'caused' him to behave against all the principles he holds dear, and tbf, usually maintains admirably. 6/14
[I hope I used it correctly...]
...and in his view 'caused' him to behave against all the principles he holds dear, and tbf, usually maintains admirably. 6/14
Back to the question, why would he assume the worst of each other when they get to France? Let's start with Sylvester. He wasn't expecting to see Phoebe in France - when he does he can't help a resurgence of joy. Then the memory of his hurts returns 7/14
This hurt runs deep - not just the humiliation of being a public figure of fun, but also the painful truth of Phoebe's book, confirmed by his beloved mother. Then on top of that, there's his 'foolish tendre' for her. He has no control over that. Ouch. 8/14
And while he is busy becoming more vulnerable, and his heart is moving nearer to his sleeve, not only has he no sense that his feelings are returned, but the object of his love is also his evil genius - everything he thought was admirable in himself he has to reconsider. 9/14
Facing one's own shortcomings we probably all know is a horrible experience, one that we fight hard. And quite often we blame the person who holds up a mirror and makes us rethink. Not only that, Phoebe disrupts all Sylvester's careful plans and sense of autonomy 10/14
He is continually de-centred by her. So if we add all that up - his hurt, his disturbance, and basically the total mess he's in, that explains to me his suspicious reaction. The beast snarls when it is cornered, and it's not a very nice side of Sylvester to be sure 11/14
Also - he's pretty bloody upset that Edmund has been kidnapped, and has been dashing to his rescue, only to find that Phoebe and Tom have stolen his thunder in a sense.
12/14
12/14
As for Phoebe's anger with Sylvester, that's more understandable - reactive mostly - they almost reconcile, then he says something cutting and off they go again.
But does this augur badly for their marriage? 13/14
But does this augur badly for their marriage? 13/14
I say no. This is about the pains and anxieties of courtship: unrequited love, hurt feelings. We've seen how they laugh together, they share many many cultural values, they are both no nonsense affectionate with children, and dammit they know how to fight.
I'll shut up now.
14/14
I'll shut up now.
14/14
