I think AF used Ann as a necessary counter to the activities of the rest of the family. Ann is in the position of Mrs Marlow, but without the authority to stop them. I also think that she holds strong views, but they don't agree with AF's, so one tends to see her through a rather disapproving veil. Ann is logically (as the result of her beliefs and previously stated opinions) the only one of the family who would have objected, and therefore her objections had to be made rather more forcefully than perhaps our previous acquaintance with Ann would lead us to expect.
AF, with her profoundly Catholic, pre-Vatican II conscience, would have very little sympathy with any modern woolly liberalism, and Ann is a token of that. Ann is certainly more sympathetic to Judith's feelings than the others, and I think this is because she is the only one of them with maternal feelings - Lawrie and Nicola think only of how they would feel in a similar situation to Edward, and Rowan's detachment prevents her from any empathy. The male members of the party are unlikely to have any such emotions.
The one thing that makes the whole thing work, for me, is the exchange in the kitchen while Rowan is telling the story (and I paraphrase), that Edward keeps trying to run away, Judith can no longer cope, and wants him taken into Care. Most of the rest of the family respond with "If she can't cope, and he doesn't want to be there, she should in all decency hand him back to Felix." Ann responds that it sounds that Edward needs looking after, but not in a way that makes it sound as though she thinks that going into local authority care is the best thing for him. Her comment that if Edward was found on the farm, hiding in a barn, they should feed him and then phone the Home, recognises that it would be much better for Edward's welfare and Judith's peace of mind (not to mention the Home's staff) for him to be returned to safety. The children, however, don't see this at all - they are too young to do anything but empathise with Edward's plight - he is, after all, very little younger than Nicola and Lawrie.
I think AF draws very well Chas' and Rose's convinced opinion that their plan to accompany Edward to Switzerland was an entirely logical plan. Although Peter is (not openly) scornful of Chas' plan, what he does himself is not much more logical.
I agree with those who posted about Rowan's and Giles' reluctance to get involved, and certainly agree with Lizzar that they would never have taken Edward to Boulogne if Giles had been in a state to give orders. Peter proves yet again (though perhaps I'm being harsh on him: he is only fifteen or so) that he doesn't have anywhere near the responsibility required to be a good naval officer. He doesn't make good judgments. However, if Giles *had* been compos mentis, the story wouldn't have worked as well, because they would have turned around again!
I rather like the ambiguity of the ending. There's definitely a sense that the whole family has been changed as a result of their activities, and that none of their relationships will be the same again.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2007-11-29 07:25 pm (UTC)AF, with her profoundly Catholic, pre-Vatican II conscience, would have very little sympathy with any modern woolly liberalism, and Ann is a token of that. Ann is certainly more sympathetic to Judith's feelings than the others, and I think this is because she is the only one of them with maternal feelings - Lawrie and Nicola think only of how they would feel in a similar situation to Edward, and Rowan's detachment prevents her from any empathy. The male members of the party are unlikely to have any such emotions.
The one thing that makes the whole thing work, for me, is the exchange in the kitchen while Rowan is telling the story (and I paraphrase), that Edward keeps trying to run away, Judith can no longer cope, and wants him taken into Care. Most of the rest of the family respond with "If she can't cope, and he doesn't want to be there, she should in all decency hand him back to Felix." Ann responds that it sounds that Edward needs looking after, but not in a way that makes it sound as though she thinks that going into local authority care is the best thing for him. Her comment that if Edward was found on the farm, hiding in a barn, they should feed him and then phone the Home, recognises that it would be much better for Edward's welfare and Judith's peace of mind (not to mention the Home's staff) for him to be returned to safety. The children, however, don't see this at all - they are too young to do anything but empathise with Edward's plight - he is, after all, very little younger than Nicola and Lawrie.
I think AF draws very well Chas' and Rose's convinced opinion that their plan to accompany Edward to Switzerland was an entirely logical plan. Although Peter is (not openly) scornful of Chas' plan, what he does himself is not much more logical.
I agree with those who posted about Rowan's and Giles' reluctance to get involved, and certainly agree with Lizzar that they would never have taken Edward to Boulogne if Giles had been in a state to give orders. Peter proves yet again (though perhaps I'm being harsh on him: he is only fifteen or so) that he doesn't have anywhere near the responsibility required to be a good naval officer. He doesn't make good judgments. However, if Giles *had* been compos mentis, the story wouldn't have worked as well, because they would have turned around again!
I rather like the ambiguity of the ending. There's definitely a sense that the whole family has been changed as a result of their activities, and that none of their relationships will be the same again.