Ross Poldark
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Ross and Elizabeth - could they have been happy?
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Rachel
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Jan 08, 2008 01:03PM

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I am not sure about that but you do know that later
SPOILER......
about 4 books later they have a child...
The child is named Valentine! He is born on Valentine's day but another man thinks the child is his child.
SPOILER......
about 4 books later they have a child...
The child is named Valentine! He is born on Valentine's day but another man thinks the child is his child.
I believe this book is called The Black Moon or The Dark Moon. If I remember right the actual conception takes place in the previous book. But I am telling too much and I know you don't want to read SPOILERS! You will learn more about the true personality of Elizabeth as you go along. She is a person who is very concerned with money and position.


I think they would have been happy for a while but I don't think Elizabeth would have been able to cope as well with the events in which Ross embroiled himself, such as Jim Carter's tragic prison break, it was always in his nature to fight for an injustice and would always have ended up as something of a rebel in the eyes of his own class. Having said that, and this view is very unpopular with some of my friends, I think George and Elizabeth made very good couple and I think out of the three main men in her life he knew her best. even though he is supposed to be the hero's nemesis I love Graham's ability to make a reader understand and empathise with almost any character and I truly think that George was hi own worst enemy and for this I feel for him. The scenes between him and Elizabeth leading up to her death were truly moving and I think in her own way she had come to love him to. The scene after she has died and George wanders the house alone reflecting on what he has lost and what Elizabeth has left behind is one of my all time favourite pieces of writing



I agree with you totally. I think Ross and Demelza suit each other; compliment each other. I think Ross's interest in Elizabeth wained once he met Demelza, although, like in real life, we think on what may have been. If Ross had to choose between the two, I reckon he would choose Demelza every time. Her spirit is sexy and alive - Elizabeth struck me as defeatist and accepting of the status-quo with no fighting spirit. I can't see that earning Ross's respect in a long-term relationship. He is adventurous, Elizabeth is not. She, I believe would be a needy companion.
However, Ross has a great sense of responsibility so he will always look out for Elizabeth and maybe even wonder what might have been.




Oh, Marilyn, you are in for a real treat with reading this series. I loved all of them.

Hi Marilyn--I stumbled on a spoiler like this when I first started reading the series and it disappointed me. But now I'm further ahead than a lot of people so *I'm* the one that knows what's coming. ;-) When you finally get the books from the library, consider joining our little discussion group--where we try very hard to hide or warn about spoilers!
Poldark Saga - Winston Graham

Elizabeth has heart and soul. However, she is not written in a ridiculously idealized manner.

I loved this series so much that I am savouring it. Only a few books to go. I mix them with other readings so I keep refreshed.


Sometimes, I cannot help but laugh at the fans' views of both Ross and Elizabeth. The latter is condemned for not being an extroverted character with a penchant for openly expressing her emotions. I keep forgetting that introverted women are not highly regarded in today's Western society. Whereas, Ross is put on a pedestal as some kind of compassionate liberal without a flawed bone in his body.
Everyone wants to regard the characters and their relationship in this easy and one-dimensional manner and ignore that Winston Graham had created a complex literary saga filled with complex and ambiguous characters. It's just sad.


I find it insulting that when you disagree with someone's point of view, you find that point of view laughable. Of course every human being is flawed in some way but to suggest I am putting Ross on a pedestal because he is portrayed as a decent character is what is laughable.
Elizabeth was less decent because she wanted to live a secure life with the rich man rather than risk her material comfort on a less than wealthy Ross who was bound to get into trouble fighting wars and taking risks. It is that simple. Winston Graham is an admirable writer. His characters are well drawn and I find there is no ambiguity. If you wish to make it more than it is, that is your problem. Demelza and Ross make the perfect couple. Ross is tormented by his first love but it would never have worked. Ross clearly battles with the fact he still loves Elizabeth but he gradually realizes he is married to the right person after all.


And it is your problem if you wish to harbor your own opinion that goes against someone else's. It's that simple. We don't have to blindly accept your opinion or go out of our way to prove ours to you.

I agree.

I also agree. Although I definitely favor Demelza over Elizabeth, personality-wise, because I can relate more to her, I feel sorry for Elizabeth because how much her indecisiveness then poor decisions cost her. On top that situations outside of her control also push her around. Winston Graham is indeed very good at writing characters you emphathise with, even the "bad guys", I always find myself rooting for George to be a better person because at the heart of everything he is insecure and wants to belong, unfortunately those natural, relatable feelings are perverted by his immense pride and fear of shame.


Actually, I'm not even sure if Elizabeth is an introvert. Elizabeth is who she was bred to be-a genteel, refined, upper-class woman. As for the rape, I think it was written rather ambiguously, and I'm not convinced that was in fact what happened. I don't say that to defend Ross because I think he has a number of flaws, and I don't think I'm going out on a limb to say that the majority of female readers get very frustrated with him at times. I really don't think he's put on a pedestal. And back to the introversion thing-that comment sounds more like a psychological projection onto the book and its readers than anything. People don't like Elizabeth because she comes across as cold and too concerned with money and class. I think readers relate to Demelza more because she seems more modern. One of the few positives to being poor and destitute in those days is that you were free to express yourself and make your own choices in a way that people in the upper echelons of society could not.



Then I started watching season 2 streaming, and got to the Elizabeth - Ross scene towards the end of the series. I stopped watching after that. Made me incredibly angry that the beautiful love story between Ross and Demelza had to be destroyed. And Ross showed that he was unprincipled, dishonorable and weak man. After all. Good riddance!

I watched some of the TV series but thought the character of Ross was nothing like the books portrayed. I saw Ross as an older man (but not old), more ruggedly handsome and strong. The books give us a more comprehensive picture of the story as written by Winston Graham. I loved the good character of Ross throughout. I don't remember him turning into a cad!
She was too shallow and phony for him.




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