Reader's Ink discussion

In my edition of the book, Adam McKible states in the introduction that When Washington was in Vogue " is not a particularly feminist novel." In the commentary at the end of the book, Emily Bernard agrees with McKible but elaborates on this point: "there are fascinating women everywhere in this book, frankly sensuous, free-thinking, plain-speaking women."

What role did women play in Davy Carr's story? What is your opinion on the multitude of female characters and how they are portrayed?

Davy loves to pigeon-hole each woman in a slot that makes sense to him. One of the things that we like about Caroline is that she's not so easily categorized by him.

But no, I would not consider this a very feminist novel, as Davy is highly critical of women. He's overprotective if not downright condescending, and the only woman he seems to respect are those who follow HIS rules.

His paternal approach to Caroline in particular bugged me. I mean, the poor girl refers to him as her (fake) godfather! Lordy. Although Davy pretty sincerely values women who have substance, character, etc., and rightly criticizes those women who wield lighter skin (and the subsequent freedom to "pass" in white society)in a way that lords it over darker skinned women, he just so judgmental and condescending that he could be pretty unlikable at times. I found myself wondering why we needed Davy's approval of each of these women.

I agree with Ashley about Caroline not being "pigeon holed." She didn't play to anyone's drum but her own. She was enough attractive, that she didn't need Davy. He was in my opinion more attracted to her than she him.

In your quote above, that gave me the feeling that these women could stand on their own, could work, have friendships, relationships, and didn't need someone else to make it happen. Perhaps early women's libbers, without all the hype.

ASHLEY! VERY WELL SAID. WHY DOES DAVY THINK HE IS THE DADDY? DO THESE WOMEN NEED SAVING? WHY DOES CAROLINE PERSIST IN REFERRING TO DAVY AS GODFATHER AND OLD GROUCHY? IS SHE JUST EXERTING HER FREEDOM OR LOOKING FOR A CARETAKER? I SAY THE LATTER. SHE'S JUST LIKE A NUMBER OF GIRLS I WENT TO COLLEGE WITH IN THE '60'S WHO REALLY ONLY WENT TO COLLEGE TO FIND A MAN NOT AN EDUCATION.

Years ago, I worked with a guy who was adamant that women who come across as the most dependent, little-girlish in relationships are actually the most manipulative and in control. In his view, by making their partners feel, on the surface, like big manly men who were in control, women could subtly shift things exactly as they wanted without their partners being aware. I thought his opinion was horribly sexist (although I've since been forced to admit there's some truth to it ...), which brings me back to this book:

I kept wondering if this was what Caroline was doing with Davy. His tone, opinions, and judgments indicate a man who thinks he's superior to the majority of the population. Caroline - who is no dummy - played directly into his need to be the Alpha Male. I think she was interested in him from the start of the book but knew he needed to be the one who "captured" her. He wouldn't be happy with a forward woman who chased him, so she played into his fantasy of a silly little girl all while displaying her intellect in non-threatening ways.

Since Davy's the narrator, we only have his version of events and, since Caroline outmaneuvered him, he remained unaware of how skillfully she beat him at his own game.

So I agree with Cheryl that she did seem like an MRS chaser (which sadly continue to exist, although many of them have become much more adept at camouflaging their manhunting), but I loved the possibility that Caroline "the little fool" outsmarted the Godfather.