The Frozen Deep by Wilkie Collins (hosted by Lori)

[Sam]

Thanks for all the extensive background material and especially the work on melodrama. Most of us relate to the term melodrama as a negative and do not consider the origins. As pointed out by Jean and Franky, the exaggerated physical gestures did not translate well into the intimate frame of the film and much of the background music in early film was plagued by a cliched similarity, but again I stress that melodrama has gotten a bad rap and we should discern between good melodrama and bad, also noting that differences in taste are often at play in our criticism. I am not sure how many of you saw Oppenheimer, the latest Bafta winner, but if you look at the film or this three minute promo on the score you will see the elements of the exaggerated pose and especially the role of the score in melodrama and this is a "good" melodrama.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt4k8...

Despite this being a "good," melodrama, I am sure you can see where criticisms will be levied some 50 or 200 years hence.
Meanwhile, back from digressing, great job in educating us on melodrama, Lori!

[Lori]

Franky wrote: "Bionic Jean wrote: "I've just laughed so much at these poses for melodramas, that Chris came over to see what I was looking at 🤣 How tastes do change ... sorry Lori - it's very accurate! We can sti..."

Excellent examples, Franky. I’d say you and Jean are on to something with the silent films and melodrama. The themes were similar as well.

[Lori]

Sam wrote: "Thanks for all the extensive background material and especially the work on melodrama. Most of us relate to the term melodrama as a negative and do not consider the origins. As pointed out by Jean ..."

Sam, you have brought up excellent points about melodrama and the notion of it as negative. I’d propose that because it is so exaggerated we dislike it today because it does not allow for the subtleties we appreciate today.

I do agree there is good and bad melodrama and taste does play a role. The actors were trying to elicit emotional responses from the audience and characters were stereotypes usually. So I can see why our modern sense would think poorly of melodrama.

I have not seen Oppenheimer but am glad to know it provides us a good example. I will keep it in mind when I get to watch it! Thanks Sam!

[Sara]

I also enjoyed seeing the poses and having a laugh at them. I imagine it was even more important to convey meaning through body language then, since what was being said onstage might be lost to those in the back of the theater. And, tastes certainly do change, but like Franky I can tolerate in Collins things that I think I would find fatuous in someone else.

If you are interested in reading melodrama done well, you cannot beat Wilkie Collins' Jezebel's Daughter.

[Lee]

Lori wrote: "Manuscript presented to Queen Victoria, July 1857
Housed in the Royal Collection Trust

Is there any way to zoom in on these playbills. I would like to be able to read them. Eerie to see such historical relics!


Playbill from the Gallery of Illustration





Playbill from Manchester Free Trade Hall August 1857

"

[Lee]

Lori wrote: "It was fun to research the melodrama and to see how exaggerated it can be. I've performed on stage and know that exaggeration is recommended. I was told that if I didn't feel awkward, then the audi..."
How extremely cool that we have an authentic dramatist to lead this reading!

[Lori]

Sara wrote: "I also enjoyed seeing the poses and having a laugh at them. I imagine it was even more important to convey meaning through body language then, since what was being said onstage might be lost to tho..."

I'm sure depending on the stage size it was difficult to understand everything being said. And remember there was music playing along to heighten the emotion.

Thanks, Sara for the recommendation. Will definitely want to read it.

[Lori]

Lee wrote: "Lori wrote: "Manuscript presented to Queen Victoria, July 1857
Housed in the Royal Collection Trust

Is there any way to zoom in on these playbills. I would like to be able to read them. Eerie to s..."

Sorry, Lee, it's hard to read them. It gets a bit blurry when you zoom the page.

[Lori]

Lee wrote: "Lori wrote: "It was fun to research the melodrama and to see how exaggerated it can be. I've performed on stage and know that exaggeration is recommended. I was told that if I didn't feel awkward, ..."

Well, one that has performed in school - not in any professional capacity!

[Lori]

Franklin's Failed Arctic Expedition 1845



Sir John Franklin

Sir John Franklin was a seasoned naval officer who had commanded two previous Arctic expeditions before setting sail for a final time aboard two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. His crew of 129 men were assigned to travel the last unnavigated sections of the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic. The expedition set sail on May 19, 1845, stopping in Greenland after 30 days. Here the crew collected fresh meat for the ships and the crew wrote their last letters home. By late July, the Terror and Erebus were encountered in Baffin Bay where they waited for good conditions to cross on into Lancaster Sound. The expedition was never seen by Europeans again.


What happened to the crew and the ships has been pieced together over the next 150 years by other expeditions, explorers, and scientists. Testimonies from interviews of the Inuit provided some information and timeline. It is known that after traveling down Peel Sound through the summer of 1846, the Terror and Erebus became trapped in ice off King William Island in September. The crew wintered off the island in 1846-47, and 1847-48. Franklin’s death is recorded as June 11, 1847. The rest of the crew abandoned the ships and planned to walk over the island and across the sea ice towards the mainland of Canada beginning April 26, 1848. By this point, 23 other men had died. It’s believed the remaining crew perished on the 250-mile-long walk.

Questions regarding what really happened to the crew of the Erebus and Terror are still being investigated today. True knowledge of the account may never be known. It may remain a true unsolved mystery.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankli...

[Lori]

Crew Members

[Lori]

A Little more…

There was little doubt of the success to be gained from this prestigious expedition. It was well-equipped with experienced captains and crew and they were sent in a confident search of the final link which would end in a navigable north-west passage through this frozen uncharted territory. The ships had previously sailed to the Antarctic and were refitted and prepared with iron sheeting, propellers, and steam engines with enough provisions to last three years. These were strong ships even before this as they had been originally built to withstand mortars in war.

Franklin had instructed his crew to prepare their families to not expect to hear from them after they entered the ice until October 1847 (just over 2 years!). He trusted they would be successful and would accomplish the goals of the voyage.

No consideration for search operations would be made before the end of 1847. By the spring of 1847, there was growing anxiety about the fate of the ships and crew. The next year, the government advertised a reward of £20,000 for private ships that may have located the expedition but no trace was found.

In 1849, Sir James Clark Ross returned with nothing to report yet people hoped that the men had survived even into 1850 (now 5 years since setting sail) thinking they had help from native Esquimaux (Inuits) or were able to hunt.

Further searches from the HMS fleet would make their way to the Arctic and back and one (HMS Investigator) would get trapped in ice for 3 years before being rescued.

https://abarbararich.medium.com/out-o...



***We will visit some more facets of the expedition and I will expound on rescue missions as the story progresses. There is literally tons of information to be read about this expedition and I am trying to give you an interesting overview of some of the major events. One could get lost in the plethora of information on this ill-fated voyage.

[Lori]

Map of the route that Franklin was to take

[Lori]

These will be the last background posts before we begin reading. So if anyone still wants to join or needs to catch up we will have a day before Wednesday when the first chapter begins.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Wow Lori, you are going above and beyond - I'm loving all this, thank you! The Franklin expedition was formerly just a fact and name to me.

Sam, I greatly appreciated your post. I admit it had puzzled me that the poses would need to be exaggerated, because Charles Dickens's productions at home were in an intimate space, and London's Victorian theatres are not huge arenas by any means. In fact they are rather cramped theatres compared with modern ones.

But melodrama was the norm, and (as Franky and Lori pointed out) subtle nuances of expression in cinema was yet to come.

Thanks Sara for a recommendation of another good melodrama.

I think you are spot Sam, when you tell us we must differentiate between good and bad melodrama. 😊

[Wendy]

Hello, I was just invited to join the read by Lee and Jean. One of Lee's "currently reading" posts showed up on my GR feed, and I made a comment that it looked like a fascinating book...and here I am! I just caught up reading this thread and the background information -- great detail, thanks so much -- and I've checked out an ebook copy from my library (I double-checked -- it does have 18 chapters!)

Like Franky, I also read the The Terror just last year and fell into a research hole regarding what may have happened, and also the recent discovery of both Terror and Erebus ships. There is some really neat footage out there if you go looking.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to cracking the book and reading along with you all!

[Lori]

Wendy wrote: "Hello, I was just invited to join the read by Lee and Jean. One of Lee's "currently reading" posts showed up on my GR feed, and I made a comment that it looked like a fascinating book...and here I ..."

Welcome, Wendy! I am pleased that you are interested in reading along with us. It sounds like you have some knowledge about the expedition which is great. I have seen where the ships were recently found. Just amazing isn't it, that stories like this really never disappear. I've not read up on the details of the finds yet.

Look forward to starting this on the 6th.

[Sam]

Bionic Jean wrote: "I admit it had puzzled me that the poses would need to be exaggerated, because Charles Dickens's productions at home were in an intimate space, and London's Victorian theatres are not huge arenas by any means. In fact they are rather cramped theatres compared with modern ones."

I have a couple of quick thoughts before I drop the topic and catch up on all Lori's new info. The poses had to be uniform for understanding and exaggeration compensated for underplaying which would be a more common problem. That uniformity is important. The third pose is designated hopeless, but I make that pose when considering how long it is to the next Dickensian Dickens' readalong, I don't feel hopeless, just resignedly impatient!

[Lori]

Summary 1
First Scene - The Ball-room
Chapter 1

The scene opens on the evening of a ball being given to celebrate the departure of an Arctic expedition. The ships, the Wanderer and the Sea-mew, will be sailing the next morning in search of the Northwest Passage.

The room is a large conservatory complete with a band. Army and navy officers wear their uniforms and the ladies are dressed beautifully. The dancers are in the middle of a quadrille. Mrs. Crayford, wife of Lieutenant Crayford of the Wanderer, and a pale young girl, Miss Clara Burnham (an orphan) are partnered for dancing. The ladies are friends and will be staying together during the voyage.

Mrs. Crayford is dancing with Captain Helding (of the Wanderer) and he asks about Clara wondering if she is in delicate health. He is very concerned about what may be the matter with Clara and doesn’t want to be indiscreet by asking. They discuss Clara’s upbringing in the Highlands of Scotland and Mrs. Crayford explains that the ignorant people have filled her mind with superstitions. One of those is the Second Sight. Captain Helding is in disbelief that this superstition would be real and credible. He wants to know if she really professes to see into the future and whether Mrs. Crayford has ever witnessed Clara in a trance.

Mrs. Crayford describes a day when she witnessed this trance when Clara had been nervous and irritable all morning. Taking her out for fresh air, the lady then describes how Clara’s hands moved gropingly and that she spoke aloud before she fainted.

Clara is at the ball because the doctor recommended change and amusement otherwise she remains at home. The doctor’s scientific analysis of Clara’s condition is discussed. It is determined that she must be relieved of any secret anxieties that might be causing a hysterical malady to occur. Captain Helding suggests a disappointment in love? But Mrs. Crayford does not know as even though they are like sisters, Clara doesn’t confide in her. She is planning to encourage confidence so that Clara might confide her secrets.

Changing the subject, the Captain mentions that another ship called the Atalanta is expected to return from Africa any day. At the same moment, Clara causes a confusion in the dance by making a mistake. Turning pale and claiming the heat has caused her to feel faint, Clara and her partner, Lieutenant Crayford, exit the conservatory. Captain Helding makes a distasteful joke about whether through the Second Sight he could find the shortest path to the Northwest Passage.

Mrs. Crayford excuses herself to go see about Clara. She dismisses her husband to see what she can do for Clara.

[Lori]

Second Sight

Second sight is a belief that some people have a gift of premonition or power to see future events. The term, an-da-shealladh, comes from Gaelic originating in the Scottish Highlands, meaning two sights - one being normal vision and the second being premonitions of the future.

A 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica article entitled “Second Sight” by Andrew Lang describes second sight as involuntary prophetic vision, whether direct or symbolical. The sight may or may not be preceded or accompanied by epileptic symptoms but not definitive.

Those who experience the second sight believe the reality of it but many are skeptical of its existence.

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_E...

[Lori]

Hysteria Malady in Victorian Women

Victorian values of the perfect woman encouraged passivity and intellectual inferiority. Women were to bear children and do the housework and a woman who deviated from this ideal was often considered mad. Madness labeling helped remove non-conformists from society and for their society’s good. Some diagnoses were inaccurate. For example, epilepsy was often mistaken for hysteria. Symptoms of Victorian hysteria included faintness, nervousness, insomnia, and convulsions. It was so common to hear of reports of women with these symptoms and the diagnosis became the default when no other explanation could be given.

Hysteria in literature was prevalent during this time as well, as we know Wilkie Collins’s main character in The Woman in White as well as Bertha Rochester in Jane Eyre.


https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK...

[Tyler]

Looks like I'm slightly late to the part but just in time. Wendy invited me to join in on the read, which I hope is fine. I'm not too experienced with classics, but I've been told I should really improve something called a "schema".

In all seriousness since I was young, I was always interested in classics and gaining more knowledge about the world revolving around literature, and I see The Frozen Deep as a great start. Thanks for all the extremely useful background, and I hope to be able to learn a lot from you all!

[Franky]

I thought having a lead character with second sight was an interesting way to begin the novel. Seems like it sets up some mysterious things to come. I'm also noticing that the way the novella is written almost feels like a play, so I can see how this was both a book and a play.

[Wendy]

The first thing that struck me is the fictionalization of the names of the ships and crew -- and of course this makes sense because the Terror and Erebus had set sail only a decade before the play, and about two decades before the novelization came out. Families of the crew would have had this disaster still fresh in their minds, and likely the general public would have easily made the connection between the subject matter of the play and the not-so-long-ago headlines about the Franklin expedition. I wonder if anyone at the time felt this was all "too soon"?

I'm also curious now about how the original play starts -- this does feel very play-like, and somehow introducing the "second sight" and related sense of foreboding, feels more like a Collins detail than a Dickens one -- though I'm just making assumptions here!

[Lori]

Frankly, I’m glad you notice the elements of drama. The opening lines are as if staging the scene for a play. Right away you can envision this ball room and the people dressed in uniforms and beautiful dresses. There is an air of lightness to begin. But then as you say, the second sight attribute brings an interesting effect to the narrative already. We are interested to see how this will play out!(pun intended!)

[Lori]

Wendy wrote: "The first thing that struck me is the fictionalization of the names of the ships and crew -- and oafs course this makes sense because the Terror and Erebus had set sail only a decade before the play,..."


Wendy, you are right about the closeness the readers then would have had to this story. It certainly would have been on their minds still in 1857. It was only in March of 1854 that the crew was declared officially dead. The excitement of the polar expeditions lasted for decades so I think the people would have been wanting to read anything they could about it.

The names of the ships being different was not surprising but since the Franklin expedition inspired this play/novella, there would be similarities but not an exact retelling.

I am glad that you have also picked up on the elements of a play. Wilkie Collins' writing, as I have mentioned, is very stage-worthy and dramatic. I love the sense of foreboding right from the start!

[Sara]

Lori wrote: "Frankly, I’m glad you notice the elements of drama. The opening lines are as if staging the scene for a play. Right away you can envision this ball room and the people dressed in uniforms and beaut..."

This is exactly the reaction that I had. In fact, it read so much like stage directions that I checked to make sure I had not accidentally picked up the play instead of the novella.

Collins is masterful at setting up a mystery immediately. We all want to know what ails Clara and whether she sees or is about to see a future connected with the expedition. Captain Helding's joke seems almost too prophetic.

[Tyler]

To extend a bit on the "Second Sight," I'm wondering if Clara's mention of heat was an indication of events to come rather than a mention of the temperature of the room itself. I may be overanalyzing the situation, but it seems like the "Second Sight" is being set up as some sort of foresight into future events.

[Lori]

Sara wrote: "Lori wrote: "Frankly, I’m glad you notice the elements of drama. The opening lines are as if staging the scene for a play. Right away you can envision this ball room and the people dressed in unifo..."

Sara, I 'm so glad that the humor came across. Captain Helding cam on strong didn't he? He is trying hard to find out what is so peculiar about this young, interesting girl and his joke comes across as rude in my opinion. It is evident that he disbelieves the possibility of the second sight.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Like Franky, this opening was a surprise to me; I wasn't expecting it at all!

Thank you very much for the interesting posts Lori. I'm off to the "Mutual Friends: Dickens & Collins" (a clever pun of course) exhibition at Doughty St. tomorrow, and I know they have something up about this work, so will see what goodies I can find. 😊

[Lori]

Tyler wrote: "To extend a bit on the "Second Sight," I'm wondering if Clara's mention of heat was an indication of events to come rather than a mention of the temperature of the room itself. I may be overanalyzi..."

Tyler, that's an interesting thought. The heat could certainly have more than one meaning here in this instance. I think we will be interested to find out what exactly befalls young Clara.

[Lori]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Like Franky, this opening was a surprise to me; I wasn't expecting it at all!

Thank you very much for the interesting posts Lori. I'm off to the "Mutual Friends: Dickens & Collins" exhibition at D..."

Oh how exciting!!! I will be so curious to learn of what you see< Jean!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Lovely to see you Tyler, and please feel free to introduce yourself LINK HERE so we can get to know you! 😊

[Sam]

Lori wrote: "What We Are Reading

We will have time at the end to discuss the play as well, if anyone is interested. When we get closer to finishing we can talk it about it at that time.*

I have the Complete Works edition with the play and was going to respond to a question concerning differences in play and story opening, when I noticed Lori's note from post 4. I will wait on Lori's lead when we discuss the play compared to the novella but found reading the differences very interesting.

[Lori]

Sam wrote: "Lori wrote: "What We Are Reading

We will have time at the end to discuss the play as well, if anyone is interested. When we get closer to finishing we can talk it about it at that time.*

I have t..."

Sam, it would be best to save this until after we’ve finished the novella. The play is not very long and we have time to compare the two then. It is interesting how they differ.
Thanks for your patience!

[Lori]

Summary 2
First scene - the Ballroom
Chapter 2

Mrs. Crayford assures Clara’s fears saying that she wants to be a comfort for her. Clara will tell her secret to Mrs. Crayford as long as she doesn’t tell anyone especially her husband, Lieutenant Crayford. Clara fears he will despise her if he knows.

Clara reveals that the reason she fainted was because of what she overheard Captain Helding tell Mrs. Crayford about the Atalanta. Clara fears one of the men who may be on that returning ship.

Clara begins to recollect when she lived in Kent with her father and they were staying at a grand house owned by a friend, a man named Wardour, who had a son.

We learn that Richard Wardour admired Clara who believed him to be headstrong and passionate in temper but affectionate and generous. It took Clara some time to figure out how much Richard Wardour admired her. He never told her how he felt but Clara saw his affections and she tried to show him that she would rather be like a sister to him. Richard Wardour did not accept this and behaved as if they had a future together.

Clara never explained to Richard clearly how she felt and it was too late when she was finally ready. Clara continues the story. Richard, a navy officer, had been watching her in the garden one day and followed her there. Startling her, he explained that he was leaving for the African coast and when he returned with a promotion, she knew what would happen (he would expect her to be his wife) and he kissed Clara. Clara was mortified by the gesture and suddenly Richard left!

Clara knows she should have spoken up to Richard and has been worried over this ever since. She wrote to him to tell him she could not marry him but she doesn’t think he ever received it. She required a response from him and an answer never came. Now the Atalanta is returning with Richard Wardour coming to claim her for his wife!

Mrs. Crayford considered everything Clara told her but didn’t believe it was enough to cause the amount of agitation she’d witnessed. Clara was still looking burdened even after revealing this secret. Mrs. Crayford asked if Clara had told her everything. She began to wonder if another man was involved in Clara’s reticence.

At that moment a young man named Mr. Francis Aldersley arrived. He explains that he was with the Arctic expedition as a member of the Sea-mew. Mrs. Crayford quickly understood the rest of the secret. Before Clara and Francis go off to dance, Mrs. Crayford gives Clara some advice: first, to provide Richard Wardour with an explanation soon, and second, make sure you do it in the character of a free woman.

[Lori]

Departure of HMS Terror and HMS Erebus



Creator unknown, published in Illustrated London News 24 May 1845, taken from a wood engraving

[Lori]

History of HMS Terror and Erebus

HMS Terror was originally launched in 1813 as a bomb vessel and was involved in several battles of the War of 1812 against the United States. After being converted to polar exploration ship, its next voyages were venturing to the Arctic in 1836.

For the next expedition, HMS Erebus joined the Terror which went south to the Antarctic for three years, 1841-1843. The ice was just as dangerous here as in the Arctic. One incident describes the two ships nearly destroying each other as they passed trying to avoid an iceberg. A collision occurred and the ships became entangled and masts snapped. Eventually the ships broke free after being stuck in a stranglehold at the foot of an iceberg.

On their return to England, the ships were rebuilt and refitted for another Arctic expedition which would prove to be their final one - the 1845 Northwest Passage expedition led by Franklin.

Over 150 years later, wrecks of these ships were discovered in 2014 and 2016 - a hugely important archaeological find in modern times.



https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/...


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Ter...

[Lori]

How British Naval Ships are Named

In the early 18th century naval ships were either named for royalty or after a locality such as Royal Sovereign, Royal George, or York, Cambridge, etc. As the Navy grew names were expanded to include creatures, gods and protagonists from classical antiquity (Neptune, Orion, Colossus, etc). Another focus was on the emergence of patriotism which included Edinburgh, Britannia. Ships were also given titles that resonated with ‘British’ characteristics (Thunderer, Hero, Valiant, Superb. Eventually, ships were named to promote the service of their own heroes thus names of commanders were used.

https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/cu...

[Franky]

Thanks for the historical perspective Lori, and I like the picture of the vessels. I can't imagine the level of difficulties that the crews must have had trying to explore with so many obstacles and diseases and illness to contend with. I read The Terror, which is a fictional account of the expedition, but it was hard to read some of the chapters about scurvy.

So, with regard to chapter 2, it feels like there are questions left unanswered about Clara's past. It will be interesting to see how she handles this situation with Richard.

[Wendy]

Yes, I thought chapter 2 and the introduction of this Richard fellow was a bit of a swerve, or perhaps a distraction, from the expedition. I can't decided if I'm disappointed that it has nothing to do with the expedition, or if perhaps Clara is hiding the "truth" of what she actually saw behind another more "harmless" explanation to spare her friend's feelings.

[Connie]

We've now been introduced to Mr Aldersley who is leaving for the Arctic. Lucy has a feeling that Clara is interested in this young man, but his rival, Mr Wardour, is returning on another ship. Mr Wardour is known for his bad temper so Clara must be on edge knowing that she is planning to reject him.

[Lori]

Franky wrote: "Thanks for the historical perspective Lori, and I like the picture of the vessels. I can't imagine the level of difficulties that the crews must have had trying to explore with so many obstacles an..."

Imagining that anyone would choose to embark on an "adventure" like an arctic expedition to unknown places is foreign to me. And think that this was Franklin's third trip and he was considered old at 59 to be leading.

I can only imagine what they went through trying to survive.

Yes, Clara's past is obscure. We know only that she is an orphan from the Highlands but that's all.

[Lori]

Wendy wrote: "Yes, I thought chapter 2 and the introduction of this Richard fellow was a bit of a swerve, or perhaps a distraction, from the expedition. I can't decided if I'm disappointed that it has nothing to..."

Wendy, that's an interesting interpretation. I won't give anything away though. Collins is still setting up the background of his story here and we get 4 chapters in the first scene to explore the characters and get excited about the expedition. He has given us some mystery, some drama and some humor so far.

[Lori]

Connie wrote: "We've now been introduced to Mr Aldersley who is leaving for the Arctic. Lucy has a feeling that Clara is interested in this young man, but his rival, Mr Wardour, is returning on another ship. Mr W..."

Yes! Connie, we definitely can sense a start to a love triangle being set up, don't we? And I like how Collins delineates the differences between the two men with Wardour's bad temper and Frank's likable nature.

[Sara]

I like that we are given to know immediately that Wardour's is an unwelcome attention. Helps us to gauge Clara's reactions.

I'm with you, Lori, in being in wonder of those who go on these kinds of adventures. I felt that way about our space launches in the 1960's. I admired them, but I knew the moon would be left untouched if it were up to me to go there.

[Bridget]

Oh, Sarah, me too! I could never be an explorer!!

I'm beginning to see why the cover of the novella (from post #9) features two women. Makes sense now. The pacing in these two short chapters is excellent. I feel drawn into the story already.

[Lee]

Lori wrote: "Franky wrote: "Thanks for the historical perspective Lori, and I like the picture of the vessels. I can't imagine the level of difficulties that the crews must have had ... [AND] I can only imagine what they went through trying to survive.."?

For March 8, First Scene-The Ball-room
Has anyone else been visiting all the videos on UTube? Some are excellent and I can try to give links if needed. Easily searched under
"Franklin's Lost Expedition" or variations on that.

The historical videos are fascinating and they give us a clear picture of the horrors endured by the men on these lost ships. We see with videos the giant icebergs and the huge chunks of broken ice that would have surrounded our "heroes". And no communication! You set sail and goodbye for 2 or more years.

Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens knew the ships were lost and the men most likely all dead. But they had only their imaginations to work with. The English public would have seen this play/novella as a romantic adventure story with a dramatic tragic ending.

But with the hindsight of the present, we know more. I am having a rough time transitioning to the lighthearted ballroom scene with the ladies all beautiful in their dresses and the men in their uniforms. The First Scene - the Ball-Room "is spacious. . . pleasantly lighted with Chinese lanterns". They were all anticipating the success of this expedition and the discovery of a new route to China.

I am looking for hints of the tragedy to come. Having a mysterious "Second Sight" adds drama. What can the young girl see of the future? What does she see? And I propose that belief in the "Second Sight" was very common in those days.

Perhaps by reading The Frozen Deep (or by seeing the play) the English would be given clues as to what really happened to the explorers?

This is a bit terrifying to me, realizing the power over the public these two authors held in their hands, when England only knew those men and their great ships were lost.

[Lori]

Sara wrote: "I like that we are given to know immediately that Wardour's is an unwelcome attention. Helps us to gauge Clara's reactions.

I'm with you, Lori, in being in wonder of those who go on these kinds of..."

I agree, Sara, the way Wardour's attentions are drawn shows us right away how Clara is going to react. It gives us a weary feeling for what is to come.

[Lori]

Bridget wrote: "Oh, Sarah, me too! I could never be an explorer!!

I'm beginning to see why the cover of the novella (from post #9) features two women. Makes sense now. The pacing in these two short chapters is ex..."

I like the pacing as well, Bridget. I am glad that you are finding this enjoyable so far. I think the first two chapters have given us many different things to ponder.