Poldark Saga - Winston Graham discussion

What are your favorites in book 3? We should assume this entire discussion will contain spoilers for this book. If you are going to reference a later book, be sure to mark it with a spoiler.

This conversation between Dwight and Caroline struck a chord with me. Some might see it as an homage to Charles Dickens' Ebenezer Scrooge, but I got a chill thinking how closely it resembles current "poor shaming" conversations in the media and politics. I've played the part of Dwight in more than one conversation recently! I believe, though, that Caroline is just playing devil's advocate. At this point, Dwight doesn't know her very well (and neither do we), but I think she was probing for the depth of his convictions and his tolerance when goaded.

"...'Why don't the people of Sawle spend less on gin? Drunkenness is no less for all their poverty. Or why don't they run oranges instead of brandy when they sail to France?'

He said, 'Oranges, when they can be had at all, are selling at two pence-halfpenny or three pence each. Meat is prohibitive. Gin costs them sixpence a quart or less. They're only human after all. And, even so, many of them are as sober as you or I.'

She inclined her head. 'Thank you. I'm very much complimented by the association...But there, Dr. Enys, shall you do any good by attempting to preserve all these people? They will multiply and multiply and so there'll be ever more mouths to feed. Admittedly it is sad to see them die, but it keeps the numbers in check and preserves a balance. If there's more food than people, then the people grow in numbers until there's more people than food. When that happens, some die off until the food is equal to maintain the others. Is it for us to interfere? Ah, I see I've shocked you.'

'Only by assuming that you yourself are different from the rest and not to be included in this stocktaking.'

She smiled sweetly. 'Well, of course I'm different from the rest! It's no virtue but a happy chance. I was born a Penvenen, so am rich and educated. If I had been born poor and weakly I should no doubt die of one of your nasty diseases, but don't expect me to weep about it now!'"

I was going to post this on the Facebook page, but didn't want to offend anyone. It struck me how divided the upper classes and the lower classes were and still are to an extent.

Ann wrote: "It struck me how divided the upper classes and the lower classes were and still are to an extent."
Exactly!

TRUE but then there were epidemics which knew no classes such as "putrid throat." Of course Caroline is testing him (she tests nearly everyone until she feels comfortable with them.) I did not like Caroline in her first appearances. But the night at the Trevaunances's party and she was monopolizing Ross to annoy and rid herself of Unwin I decided I liked her and began to understand her personality.
SPOILER: a very sad commentary on health of the classes I will post in THE ANGRY TIDE, it always makes me a little teary....

Just re-read this sweet bit and it brought tears to my eyes AGAIN...
2.28

"Francis, thus encouraged, fiddled with his glass and looked across the table at her, embarrassed but determined. 'I was never one for speechmaking, but there it is. She came to live among us almost while we were unaware of it. But we've all come aware of it in time. There's not one among us--unless it's young Enys here--who has not had some special benefit from her coming. That's no more than the truth, and there's little more I can say! But if it wasn't for her there'd be none of us gathering her together today--and if there's any merit in being a united family, then the merit's not the family's but hers. It isn't where you're born in the world it's what you do. She is proper that proper doth. So I say we should drink to Demelza, a lady of the first quality...'

It was a lot for Francis to say. Horribly affected, Demelza sat there while they drank the toast. When it was done, a silence fell more difficult than the last, because they were all waiting for her to say something.

She blinked the mist out of her eyes and stared at the magenta-colored wine in her glass. She said in a low voice, 'If I've done anything good for the family, look what you've done for me.'

Outside Garrick was barking, chasing a seagull off the lawn. It might wake Jeremy. They seemed to be waiting for her to say something more. In desperation a few words of the church service she'd attended in Bodmin came to her mind. She added, 'I've only followed the devices and desires of my own heart.'

Verity patted her hand. 'That's what we love you for.'"

That bit made me get all wobbly lipped too. x

OH YES ANN! Francis really pulled out his courage and spoke his heart didn't he? Of course Demelza deserved EVERY SINGLE word...

Oh, gosh. A re-reading of this book, the section where Ross & Demelza return to Nampara late at night after the verdict, brings tears to my eyes.

It's a relief that he is released, but Ross doesn't seem able to express to Demelza the things he wished he had said to her while he was in jail. Demelza, on the other hand, holds back news of her pregnancy. She's waiting for just the right moment when it will serve to bolster Ross' sense of purpose and hope for the future. Before she has the chance, however, he says he doesn't want a child anytime soon.

There is a sense of pressure for them to re-focus on their lives and marriage, but this scene reveals that they don't share a vision of their future. They both seem to have warm and loving thoughts for each other but they go unexpressed. What surfaces are the points where they are at odds, which sets them up for the further trials that their marriage will undergo. Or it sets US up.

I'm discovering that this book is a lot about how a marriage holds together under such grief, trials & lack of communication. And I'm wondering whether as Graham writes, "...much of the cherishing this year had been on her side." Thankfully, the section ends with a knock at the door and a group of well-wishers from the cottages to break the tension between Ross & Demelza. That he invites them in for a glass of wine at that late hour demonstrates his need and hers to be rescued from the scene.