Persephone Books discussion

By Evelyn Sharp

Here’s a link I found online for those who don’t have a copy but want to read: https://1890s.ca/wp-content/uploads/Y...

Thanks Susan.

I just finished this one. I really liked it; Jean is an interesting character. I would have liked to see a different ending for her, but I can see it was the 'right' ending for the story.

I would have liked a different ending, too, but it did fit the story and the heroine’s independent nature. I kept wondering if she would ever get her umbrella back ;)

I rather felt sorry for Jean- I think she gave up too easily. Was her sister’s beauty all it took to make Tom lose interest in her? Although he did admit to himself earlier in the story that he preferred domesticated women, but Jean’s spunk had drawn him in. The story was written in 1896- so was the author saying that beauty was prized over brains in women. Maybe I’m reading too much into it. I just wanted Jean to have it all by the end.

I agree that she gave up too early; her pride wouldn't let her try to win him back. I wasn't even convinced that he wasn't still interested, just because he enjoyed her sisters company.

She was a bit unreasonable, I thought, in being upset that her sister had entertained Tom in her absence, but she was already upset by being kept late at work, so that was another factor in her reaction I guess.

Yes, I wonder how differently things might have turned out if she'd got in on time.

Yes, that would be a different story. Interesting to imagine how things might have played out!

This is one of those short stories that really made me want more. Is Jean supporting both herself and her sister? Her sister seemed oblivious as to why Jean was upset- what happens after those final words? I guess I know Jean will be Jean and not back down. She will obstinately remain an independent woman.

I wondered why the sister didn’t need to work, too, and whether Jean was supporting her. If there were any clues, I missed them

This story made me quite happy that times have changed! Men may have previously preferred domesticated women who didn't work, but I don't think that's true anymore and I don't think someone intelligent or someone who works would consider those aspects to be a hindrance with respect to their relationships. I'm glad that Jean at least acknowledged that she is intelligent and clever, and looked at those as attributes in some way, even if that meant that she might be more difficult for others to understand. The other consideration is whether happiness is derived from others understanding you, and if that means more intelligent people would find it more difficult to be happy. I think it's a fair point even if I don't agree with it. Simple people consumed only by their immediate concerns would probably be less likely to be distressed in general. And certainly intelligent people would be more likely to be understood by other intelligent people. But is happiness derived from the consideration of others? I'm not sure if that's true.

Very good points Dianne. I was once asked if I thought plain but intelligent people were happier than beutiful stupid people. After thinking about it, I thought that in general the latter catagory would have happier lives, but it was an interesting question.

I don't remember whether the man was 'intelligent' in this story, but I think he would have been - which was why I thought she shouldn't have given up so easily.

Tania wrote: "Very good points Dianne. I was once asked if I thought plain but intelligent people were happier than beutiful stupid people. After thinking about it, I thought that in general the latter catagory ..."

Hard to say, he seemed to want a housewife type, so they might not have been able to connect even if she tried. Then again, maybe she could have changed his mind!