Who Would have thought it? II

The novel is getting very interesting and I'm actually excited to know what happens at the end. I have read about 2/3 of the book, and by this point i want to eliminate Mr. Hackwell and Mrs. Norval. Sooooo evilllll!  Mrs.  Norval has all the negative qualities that a woman could possibly have, immoral woman. (p 135) It is funny how Mr.Hackwell is seen as a hero and Mrs. Norval as a noble woman, best mother, best christian. (p 138) The way she treats her sick son is so un-motherly, no love, no affections.

The novel is full of rogues or leech like personalities, that want to associate with one and another to suck each other's blood. The corruption is present in every chapter, in Chackle's family, Mr. Hackwell's relationship with Mrs. Norval, in the government.....

 Even though Lavinia does not speak out, she is the only  person who criticizes the society and the government, and through her eyes we better see the corruption.  She is also the only one that speaks about Mrs. Norval's tyranny and every body's passiveness towards her, and if Julian was not so sick and if she didn't love him so dearly she would disobey Mrs. Norval. 

 

   I was surprised by Mr. Gunn, " we came to see the battle from the distance. We thought it would be such a splendid sight. So three or four of us representative, and two or three senators, got together to have some fun coming over to see the fight" p 72

This is very similar to present  American attitude. The politician stir the shit and innocent people have to go fight in battles, and the politicians just watch from far away and find it a "splendid sight", "fun". It disgusts  me to the max. I get red and steam comes out of my ears. What's fun about people fighting? It reminds me of hockey games which i find ridiculous how people start cheering when players start fighting, or when i first moved to Canada i couldn't believe students had fun going to watch fights after school.  

The best word to describe the Cackle family is "gente de malaleche". They are very competitive and  also typical Americans that " Never undertake to lift a fallen man; never associate your fortunes with an unlucky dog like Isaac" p 75. 

Who would have thought it? is probably not a feminist novel but chapters 24-30 continuously deal with feminist issues, and the importance of woman in the country , Lavinia's patriotism  and how women are devalued in the society.  The reader can feel the frustration and pain that Lavinia experiences. In  Chapter  26 the way Mr. Blower speaks to Lavinia makes me scream, " I see you don't grasp the idea. Of course, ladies can't well grasp great ideas, or understand the reasons that impel men in power to act at times in a manner apparently contrary to humanity, to mercy, to justice. ..." (p 114)     The novel sees no democracy in practice. democracy is represented as a "myth for public consumption and not a reality". (P xiv)  There is widespread corruption, even in the highest circle of government. Economic success and profit are  more important  than support for individual political freedom and equality. 

I'm excited to know what happens to Julian and Emma's case and whether Mr. Norval comes back or not.