Interesting. I read the poetry scene as May trying to entice Newland to be romantic as he was when courting her. I also didn't think that May's interpretations were necessarily worse than Newland's just different. He had after all expected to open her eyes to art and poetry, but also that she'd automatically see everything just as he does. Heaven forbid she'd have her own ideas.
I also read Granny Mingott as much more sinister. I thought that whole scene where she wanted to see Newland alone was her taunting him that he wasn't man enough for Ellen. She knows he has a bad crush, when he kisses her hand she even says she bets he wishes she were Ellen. I also think she's astute enough to know that he really doesn't have the backbone to buck society in the way he'd need to be with Ellen. I've really read her all along as a manipulative spider. Maybe I'll be more sympathetic on my next read.
This is the first time when I've read the novel that I've wondered what Granny Mingott is scheming. There's a word about her, in the final chapter, which has me re-evaluating her entire character — and now, thanks to your comment, I'm re-evaluating even more! Perhaps she's more sinister than I realized...
Interesting. I read the poetry scene as May trying to entice Newland to be romantic as he was when courting her. I also didn't think that May's interpretations were necessarily worse than Newland's just different. He had after all expected to open her eyes to art and poetry, but also that she'd automatically see everything just as he does. Heaven forbid she'd have her own ideas.
I also read Granny Mingott as much more sinister. I thought that whole scene where she wanted to see Newland alone was her taunting him that he wasn't man enough for Ellen. She knows he has a bad crush, when he kisses her hand she even says she bets he wishes she were Ellen. I also think she's astute enough to know that he really doesn't have the backbone to buck society in the way he'd need to be with Ellen. I've really read her all along as a manipulative spider. Maybe I'll be more sympathetic on my next read.
This is the first time when I've read the novel that I've wondered what Granny Mingott is scheming. There's a word about her, in the final chapter, which has me re-evaluating her entire character — and now, thanks to your comment, I'm re-evaluating even more! Perhaps she's more sinister than I realized...
I'm intrigued to now go find that word.
I'll tell you what it is next week! ;)