It's funny but I've never thought of Mrs Marlow as having bad judgement - maybe that's because the other characters esp Nicola don't seem to think this, and therefore I buy into the values of the book while I'm reading it. When Mrs Marlow writes to Nicola in Cricket Term her reasons for "why is has to be Nicola" ,if anyone, do seem to make sense. and Mrs Marlow is the one who doesn't want Rowan to be a farmer - for Rowan's own sake - and in fact Rowan doesn't enjoy it. Mrs Marlow is rather impulsive over money and I think giving ginty the necklace is another impulsive act but I don't think in general she has poor judgement about her family - although she certainly has a tendency to keep her distance.
I think the books generally are very realistic in the sense that life just isn't especially fair. For Ginty this means that she will have popularity, treats etc because people can't help reacting to her good looks (AF obviously thinks looks ARE significant)and the easy charm she has developed to go with it. But it's a double-edged sword - I think AF strongly implies that if Ginty weren't pretty, and relying upon that, she might develop more character - move beyond her essential shallowness.
By the way the anonymous post wasn't me (I say that just for clarity).
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2009-12-07 10:46 am (UTC)I think the books generally are very realistic in the sense that life just isn't especially fair. For Ginty this means that she will have popularity, treats etc because people can't help reacting to her good looks (AF obviously thinks looks ARE significant)and the easy charm she has developed to go with it. But it's a double-edged sword - I think AF strongly implies that if Ginty weren't pretty, and relying upon that, she might develop more character - move beyond her essential shallowness.
By the way the anonymous post wasn't me (I say that just for clarity).