The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

Looks like people are still catching up.

What did you think of the flyers that were going to be handed out for Magdalen?

What did you think of the Wragges? Why is Mrs. Wragge the way she is?

Did Magdalen make the right choice in trusting Wragge? Would you have acted differently in her place?

How does Magdalen's acting career progress?

What is her plan regarding Noel Vanstone?

Did anything strike you about her excursion in the guise of Mrs. Garth?

Was Magdalen's assessment of Mrs. Lecount fair?

I’m only a little way into this section so I’ll comment later on the other questions.
Re the flyers- at this time I doubt photography was easily available so I wonder how they got a picture of her? Please enlighten me if I’m wrong about the prevalence and/or accessibility of getting families having portraits of their loved ones.
I realize the household had some servants prior to the dissolution of such, but I’m not sure where the family fits in as far as socioeconomic level. I know social class, historically has been a factor people were more aware of in England than here in the states. I heard a Brit speaking about that subject even as of today, how class plays a role in their society.
Did the book say what Mr VanStone did for a living? Was he a lawyer? I doubt that due to his lack of knowledge about drafting a new will, right off the bat when his situation changed.
I’m sorry to ask so many questions. I’m listening to the audiobook and it’s not easy to go back and find that kind of thing.
At first I didn’t think I was going to like this book, but I’m really
enjoying it. Thanks to whomever chose it! Somehow I’ve never read any of Mr Collins work, and I have read a lot of book that were written in 19th century England.

’ “The Walk on the Walls,” thought this judicious man, with a twinkle of his party-colored eyes. “The quietest place in York; and the place that every stranger goes to see.”’ (The Second Scene - Chapter 1)

Living fairly close to the ancient city of York, I was fascinated by how much descriptive detail Collins used to describe how Captain Wragge used his wits to find Magdalen.

I have walked the city walls countless times, usually at Christmastime, and Collin’s descriptions tells me that they don’t seem to have changed much. Here is a contemporary map showing Skeldergate, the city walls, and the railway station, which is now situated outside the city walls.



(Old Map of York in 1851 by Tallis & Rapkin - City Centre Chart-partial)

Also below is a photo of a section of wall close to where the Captain first encountered Magdalene.

’ He stopped again where the postern of Micklegate still stands, and still strengthens the city wall as of old. Here the paved walk descends a few steps, passes through the dark stone guardroom of the ancient gate, ascends again, and continues its course southward until the walls reach the river once more. He paused, and peered anxiously into the dim inner corners of the old guard-room. Was she waiting there for the darkness to come, and hide her from prying eyes? No: a solitary workman loitered through the stone chamber; but no other living creature stirred in the place. The captain mounted the steps which led out from the postern and walked on.
He advanced some fifty or sixty yards along the paved footway; the outlying suburbs of York on one side of him, a rope-walk and some patches of kitchen garden occupying a vacant strip of ground on the other. He advanced with eager eyes and quickened step; for he saw before him the lonely figure of a woman, standing by the parapet of the wall, with her face set toward the westward view. He approached cautiously, to make sure of her before she turned and observed him. There was no mistaking that tall, dark figure, as it rested against the parapet with a listless grace.’



Approaching Micklegate Bar from the city walls above Nunnery Lane. (DS Pugh)

🐶 Amy Beagle Mom x2 🐶 wrote: "I’m only a little way into this section so I’ll comment later on the other questions.
Re the flyers- at this time I doubt photography was easily available so I wonder how they got a picture of her..."

At some point (may have been later but I wouldn't consider this a spoiler), it's noted that Mr. Vanstone earned most of his money from a large inheritance and good investments. I don't think he "worked," per se.

Trev wrote: "’ “The Walk on the Walls,” thought this judicious man, with a twinkle of his party-colored eyes. “The quietest place in York; and the place that every stranger goes to see.”’ (The Second Scene - Ch..."

Yes, he was good with details. Thank you for the map and photo! I have never visited York.

Trev, that’s pretty cool you live near York; thanks for the details. I’m using the GR app so the link doesn’t work or if you posted a pic, I’ll have to switch to a browser to see it, as I sure want to.

I am pretty surprised that Mr Wragge has no qualms of being a professional swindler! And so meticulous with his record keeping! Wow. I love the TWK designation he puts next to people’s names and how he is careful to avoid people he’s already ‘swindled.’
I despise how he treats his Mrs! The narrator really yelled his words and to her!
I’m hoping Magdalene will be Mrs W’s ticket out of that situation at some point. Poor woman! She is so taken with Mag.

Lori, thanks for the info about Mr Van Stone’s profession. Sounds like he was a gentleman.

🐶 Amy Beagle Mom x2 🐶 wrote: "Trev, that’s pretty cool you live near York; thanks for the details. I’m using the GR app so the link doesn’t work or if you posted a pic, I’ll have to switch to a browser to see it, as I sure want..."

Here are the direct links to the map and photo, if that will help you see them.

Map

https://uniquemaps.co.uk/cdn/shop/pro...

Photo

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/767...


Regarding your question about photography, I found this very interesting link to a Victorian photograph album from the 1860s.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ageofun...

However, If I remember correctly, I think that the novel was set in the 1840s when photography was only just beginning to become available to the public in general. Here is a short article about that ( with a (perhaps) not so deliberate mistake regarding Ernest, Duke of Saxe-Coburg.)

https://www.thescroller.net/59056/184...

There is a sense of desperation in Magdalen’s actions. She might not be very experienced in the world but she is clever enough to realise that Captain Wragge can’t be trusted. Yet, with no other options she risks taking him into her confidence. There are enough hints in the texts from Collins to tell us that this step is both dangerous and ill advised. But with Magdalen’s passions roused, she will always be fighting within herself between reckless actions and calculated manoeuvres.

In working with Wragge, Magdalen seems to be teetering on the brink of criminality. Already she has decided to impersonate a dear friend without her permission. How much further will she go to try and claim back her inheritance?

What a great character Magdalen is. One of my favourites of all the Victorian novels I have read. I can’t help admiring her bravery, yet at the same time fear for her safety amongst the cruel and seedy characters with whom she has become embroiled.

I was traveling and am behind, will try to catch up soon.

Trev wrote: "There is a sense of desperation in Magdalen’s actions. She might not be very experienced in the world but she is clever enough to realise that Captain Wragge can’t be trusted. Yet, with no other op..."

I enjoyed her as a character too. I hope she does not end up in prison.

I also like Magdalene. She's a nice change from all the sickly sweet Dickens young ladies. She has a lot of "street smarts" for someone so sheltered. And she is clever, even outsmarting the professional swindler Wragge. She probably honed her skills getting her way in the family.

I am concerned about her ultimate fate, since Magdalen is the classic/Biblical name for a fallen woman.

And speaking of Dickens, Mrs. Wragge seems like one of his characters, with her giant size and childlike mind. I was pleasantly surprised how kind Magdalene was to her (though she was also able to use her as a companion that she could manipulate.)