The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion
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In a Glass Darkly
J. Sheridan Le Fanu Collection
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In a Glass Darkly - Week 4 (The Room at the Dragon Volant, Part 1)
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Oh, this masked ball is splendid! Also the wonderful haunted inn, and crumbling castle in the background. I think this is probably my favorite story in the collection so far. I haven't read ahead yet, and stopping at the end of chapter 13, do suspect something supernatural and/or predatory about the Count and Countess. The words of her song indicate as much, as well as the fact that the voice is described as "semicontralto"--implicitly ominous, as in opera I believe a lower-pitched voice tends to signal the nefarious. Beckett's reaction reminds me of someone being reeled in by the song of a siren. Do others interpret Monsieur Droqville as, at this point at least, skillfully maneuvering our young narrator into a vulnerable position? I suspect monetary motivation on Droqville's part (the investment opportunity--in art--referenced a few pages back worries me) but also some sort of arrangement between the predatory Count and Countess, and Droqville. Of course, it may be that the Count and Countess are not themselves working together; she may be uniquely dangerous.
It seems apparent to me that Beckett is poisoned when he drinks the coffee procured by Droqville; but I have no idea why. It seems a backstory exists but--based on the loose ends in the other stories--I am not at all sure of ever discovering what it is!
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It’s so obvious, right? But for some reason our young hero is unable to figure this out.
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Ha! Yes, using his own bad behavior as a snare with which to entrap him. I also find Droqville’s initial warning to Beckett—in chapter 5—about the elaborate artifice of French con artists so interesting, given that this may well be the sort of person Droqville himself turns out to be. In effect he bypasses Beckett’s defenses by purporting to protect him, while he is in fact the very sort of person Beckett needs protection from. But looked at from the other side—you’re so right, Beckett’s intentions are not respectful and whatever it is that he is poised to fall prey to could be seen as justice by those who are planning it.
I am currently reading chapter VIII. I think too that definitely there was something in the coffee and I find it weird that our hero meets Droqville many times in the same evening. Furthermore it is suspicious that Droqville's description of Colonel Gaillarde is so different from the waiter's.
Marquis d'Harmonville my foot!
Lori wrote: "I wasn't terribly worried about Beckett since we know he's narrating the story as an old man,"The beginnings still seem to confuse me a bit as I at first thought it was Dr. Hesselius narrating before I got with the program and remembered these are other people's narratives that Hesselius just collects which the narrator is providing to us. I'm a real slow learner.
Lori wrote: "Do you suspect there is anything supernatural about any of the characters we’ve met so far? "
Yes, I suspect it because of the first three stories, though it is not necessary as the story could also just be a good adventure mystery story. I'm fine with either way LaFanu chooses to go. The ride there is pretty good so far.
Also, at one point I was thinking the Count and Countess and/or the Marquis were vampire types due to a statement by the crazy Colonel and when the Marquis said "I am a nightbird at present" and "keep in the shade during the day time." But with Carmilla coming up I didn't think LaFanu would go that route here.
Lori wrote: " I was wondering about the domino costume, and apparently it was a half-mask and cloak popular in masquerades at the time, kind of shown here:http://thisisversaillesmadame.blogspo...."
Thanks for that. It does make more sense than the Halloween costumes I was thinking of: https://www.google.com/search?q=domin...
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Yes I think our protagonist is being brought in for some nefarious reason yet to be disclosed.
Was there any significance to the song the Countess was singing?
What about the dream Beckett had as he dozed in the dining room?
Do you think the events of the previous couple of decades in France will have any effect on the events of the story? We do have soldiers and aristocrats.
Do you suspect there is anything supernatural about any of the characters we’ve met so far?
Why do you think Droqville is undercover, and why is he so interested in Beckett?
Do you believe Droqville’s explanation of Beckett’s “episode” in the carriage? What do you think was on the paper the intruder examined?
Who are the magician and the oracle, and how do they know so much about the party-goers?
What will happen when the rose casts its leaves?
What do you think will happen next? Rather, what do you hope will happen, and what do you worry will happen?
I was wondering about the domino costume, and apparently it was a half-mask and cloak popular in masquerades at the time, kind of shown here:
http://thisisversaillesmadame.blogspo...