Kristine’s answer to “Was Duke young Emily’s father after all ?” > Likes and Comments
2 likes · Like
Duke was not young Emily's father, the timeline is wrong. Lara & Joe were together a long time before they married & moved to the farm, & she didn't have a baby.
Agree with Kristine. I still think it’s a possibility that Peter Duke is Emily‘s father. Timing may be accurate based on the fact that Lara was in New York at the time she hooked up with Duke at the psych ward and we don’t know how long afterwards until Joe turns up. Maybe the part she kept a secret from Joe was that she ever contemplated an abortion in the first place. We don’t have a definitive answer .
I must’ve missed where they dated for years prior to getting married. I just recall a reference that they had a very quick impromptu wedding at the farm. I’m not saying that Joe didn’t know he wasn’t Emily‘s biological father either. I’m just saying that maybe she never told him she almost aborted the baby. Also as far as Emily mimicking Joe’s actions that could just be nurture not nature. Would love to hear from Ann Patchette to answer the question if she intentionally left this vague and to the readers imagination.
Yes, leaving the abortion & timeline vague was just a plot device Patchett used to set up Emily's adolescent obsession with Duke, & make you wonder. However, she settles it in Ch.10 when Lara is pregnant with Emily at the same time as her neighbor, 2 yrs. & 4mo. after they moved to the farm. (see Carrie Miller's post from 2 wks. ago on this thread.)
The comment about being young and changing your mind was in reference to adult Emily’s decision to have children. She was saying that Emily might change her mind, despite everything she rationally knows about the world and the fear she has of raising a child in this world.
**Rather, Emily’s decision to not have children.
Correct...& to anyone who wants to think Duke is Emily's father, or even thinks that is possible, re-read Ch. 10. Emily is born 2 years after Lara & Joe marry & move to the farm.
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
judith
(new)
Nov 27, 2023 05:48AM
Duke was not young Emily's father, the timeline is wrong. Lara & Joe were together a long time before they married & moved to the farm, & she didn't have a baby.
reply
|
flag
Agree with Kristine. I still think it’s a possibility that Peter Duke is Emily‘s father. Timing may be accurate based on the fact that Lara was in New York at the time she hooked up with Duke at the psych ward and we don’t know how long afterwards until Joe turns up. Maybe the part she kept a secret from Joe was that she ever contemplated an abortion in the first place. We don’t have a definitive answer .
I must’ve missed where they dated for years prior to getting married. I just recall a reference that they had a very quick impromptu wedding at the farm. I’m not saying that Joe didn’t know he wasn’t Emily‘s biological father either. I’m just saying that maybe she never told him she almost aborted the baby. Also as far as Emily mimicking Joe’s actions that could just be nurture not nature. Would love to hear from Ann Patchette to answer the question if she intentionally left this vague and to the readers imagination.
Yes, leaving the abortion & timeline vague was just a plot device Patchett used to set up Emily's adolescent obsession with Duke, & make you wonder. However, she settles it in Ch.10 when Lara is pregnant with Emily at the same time as her neighbor, 2 yrs. & 4mo. after they moved to the farm. (see Carrie Miller's post from 2 wks. ago on this thread.)
The comment about being young and changing your mind was in reference to adult Emily’s decision to have children. She was saying that Emily might change her mind, despite everything she rationally knows about the world and the fear she has of raising a child in this world.
**Rather, Emily’s decision to not have children.
Correct...& to anyone who wants to think Duke is Emily's father, or even thinks that is possible, re-read Ch. 10. Emily is born 2 years after Lara & Joe marry & move to the farm.
