The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

The thread is now open to discuss Book 2, Chapters 25-27 and Book 3, Chapters 1-5. Please post your thoughts below.

I'm beginning to believe that Bertha is the hero(ine) of our story... she is almost represented as semi-divine by the emir Nurredin.

Janice George wrote: "I'm beginning to believe that Bertha is the hero(ine) of our story... she is almost represented as semi-divine by the emir Nurredin."

Good point.

And it goes against the depiction of a religious woman in British literature, where they are more of the stereotype of "chaste, silent, and obedient."

Bertha is chaste, but she certainly isn't silent or obedient. She disobeys Lady Minnetrost in looking into the mirror, and while at first she is silent and weepy, she is now bold and fiery at times.

She does, however, contrast with the other women in the book. Gabrielle is power hungry in seeking the ring. We don't seem Blanchefleur very much, but she is concerned mostly with love. And the Lady Minnetrost has that magical quality, and there are some passages in the book that link that to a darker side (although there are definitely conflicting messages on magic throughout the book - sometimes it is good, sometimes it is bad).

Janice - you were right - Sir Folko is back!

And we finally find out the power of the ring through Theobaldo of all characters: it can be used to heal, to the point that it can even bring back life.

I also thought it was interesting what Theobaldo said about the ring: "Now, you perceive," said the latter, "how much more fitting it was that the ring should be in my hands than in those of the lady. You looked on it as indifferently as if it were but a part of your apparel as a knight, even like a brooch for your helmet-plume, or a bright jewel on your sword-hilt; while Gabrielle only dallied therewith as young damsels are wont to do with glittering toys. There was need of a wise merchant like Theobaldo, to find out the hidden virtues of the ring, in order that he might therewith assist both ladies and knights in the hour of distress."

I don't want to try and read too much reading into this, but is he suggesting almost a passing of the power from the aristocracy into the hands of the merchants? This was first published in 1825 when we see the aristocracy being challenged in Europe and the rise of the business classes.

The aristocracy are seen as someone irrelevant. They don't grow money; they merely inherit money and power. Not necessarily because they are worthy and have to make their way in life.

Unlike Theobaldo, who knows how to create wealth, and had to earn it.

Also, I thought of the Lord of the Rings and the power of the ring in that trilogy. There, everyone is afraid of the ring - it is a power that can corrupt. It takes an innocent like Frodo to carry it, someone who is less easily corrupted.

Here, that doesn't seem to be the case. The ring needs someone - or at least in this point - who is a bit more wise in the ways of the world. Also, it is used for good; it isn't corrupting.

Sorry if this sounds like rambling - thinking through writing again. :-)

Last points.

Didn't see the fact that Lady Minnetrost is Otto's mother coming. I hate that when I miss the obvious. :-)

I was actually - don't know why - thinking of Ottur as someone more magical because he was connected to the Druda and it seemed impossible that there could be an actual double of Otto.

And upset with Otto for destroying the mirror. I know why he did it; he caused pain and suffering for himself. But I liked that magical element of the story. Obviously, now, the Druda has very little of her old powers left.

As for Nurreddin, I thought his conversation with Abdallah was interesting on pages 239-241.

He talked about the battles between the Muslims, Christens, and "Heathens." I wasn't 100% sure of what he was getting at, but it seemed as if he were saying that through fighting the strong and the best will survive: "the masses should be mixed and shaken together, till they are fully melted, and thereafter assume of themselves finer forms than before."

Very odd theology, the idea of mixing the religions, for the time the story takes place in, and even for when the book is written. And even Bertha - this defender of Christianity - becomes interested in "Arabian character and language" (although religion isn't mentioned). Almost like learning to have respect for each other cultures and beliefs.