5. Exploring May's Character further.

[Kristel]

5. Some critics have described May as one of the great villains of American literature. Does that characterization surprise you? Is it a fair assessment? In what ways might she be considered villainous? Can you attach any symbolic significance to May’s skill with a bow and arrow? What does this side of her reveal about her character, about her relationship with Newland?

[Kristel]

I guess I never thought of her as villainous but I found her to be controlling in a subversive way. She was able to successful move Ellen completely out of the picture. As the wife of Newland, she did have the right to defend her territory. Newland may have been disappointed in his wife but he did marry her. Maybe he shouldn't have rushed so much into marriage after all.

Well if you think of the Goddess Diana, goddess of the hunt, then May was a strong woman. Diana was also the virgin goddess of childbirth and women.

[Lynn]

I do not view May as villainous. Rather to me she has a pathetic side to her. Though she was married to Newland she handled the situation in a way I can't admire. Possibly she would have improved her marriage had she spoken frankly with Newland. I know the novel is telling us this is not what was done then. But as a character I feel she reveals a less like-able side.

[[deleted user]]

I would never consider her a villain, a manipulator yes but lets be fair here Newland proposed, Newland hurried up the announcement, Newland hurried up the actual marriage date and Newland helped create the baby that drove Ellen away.

May played her cards very skillfully and as his wife she has every right to do so.

[Kristel]

Book wrote: "I would never consider her a villain, a manipulator yes but lets be fair here Newland proposed, Newland hurried up the announcement, Newland hurried up the actual marriage date and Newland helped c..."

I agree, she had every right to fight for her marriage. The lack of commitment to the covenant of marriage that exists today is not necessarily a better option. Newland had his chance to change his mind and he didn't but chose to plow ahead, that was not May's fault.

[Diane]

I don't think she is villainous at all. The words that come to mind are crafty, clever, and manipulative. She knew what she was doing, but she was perfectly within her right to do so. Newland totally had it coming.

[Pip]

I had not thought of the connection between her prowess at archery and her ability to arrange things so that her husband did not stray, but it is an interesting thought.