Joyce answers “I just finished the book, and I still...”

Joseph asked this question about The Gown:

I just finished the book, and I still don't know why Ann kept her past (working with Hartnell, her relationship with Miriam) a secret from Heather. Couldn't she have mentioned this without touching upon her harrowing relationship with Jeremy?

Joyce Put this in the perspective of the values of the time—shame of having a child out of wedlock would have governed Ann’s decision and secondly, times we…morePut this in the perspective of the values of the time—shame of having a child out of wedlock would have governed Ann’s decision and secondly, times were hard after the war in England. Best case scenario was to immigrate to Canada and start over. In Ann’s case, starting over meant to never mention what had happened. However, she gave the embroidery to Heather knowing her granddaughter would seek the truth. (less)

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