The (Mostly) Dead Writers Society Author in Residence program 2022
”I don't find malice so horrible as you, Mr. Snelgrove; perhaps because I see more of it; or perhaps I should say because I recognize it more readily than you do. But it is horrible enough, certainly. In the Prayer Book you will find a special plea to be preserved from it, appointed for the first Sunday after Easter: ‘Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness that we may always serve Thee in pureness of living and truth.‘ The writer of that prayer understood malice. It works like a leaven; it stirs, and swells, and changes all that surrounds it.”
Oh how Davies' experiences in both the newspaper business and the academic world shows in the persons of Gloster Ridley and Solly Bridgetower. He excels at plotting a realistic contretemps in a small community. I met Solomon Bridgetower in Tempest-Tost, where he is in a community theatre production with Professor Vambrace and his daughter, Pearl. They all three have starring roles this time around too.
I think that children of cultures where children are totally beholden to their parents, taking care of them no matter what and being obliged to do things the parents' way rather than their own way, these people will sympathize with Solly and with Pearl to some extent. Solly is absolutely tied to his mother's apron strings and hasn't found the backbone yet to free himself. Pearl has never before considered that she has options and, frankly, her own income. Having her father pitch an ugly fit changes their relationship, actually for the better, when she asserts her autonomy with a haircut and new clothes. Solly and Pearl also have a couple of serious fights that change their perceptions of the situation and each other.
It's fun to watch Davies play with these ideas, of the extent of a child’s responsibility to their parent, with the mischief that causes havoc, of the effects of gossip, the role of the newspaper, among other things. There are hilarious moments as well as serious ones, but they all strike the right note.
No comments:
Post a Comment