The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion
Through Welsh Doorways
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Through Welsh Doorways - Week 3
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The first story in this batch, about All Hallows’ Eve, crystallized a vague discomfort I’ve been having with these stories—that they seem very patronizing toward their subjects. “Oh, the charming natives with their silly superstitions.” There’s a subcurrent of laughing indulgently over the distresses of the characters that I’m finding distasteful.
Mod
That’s definitely true. It reminds me of a book published about this time which I found at a sale. It was for upper elementary children and had a lot of pronouncements about the quaint natives of various countries, as well as declarations that some nationalities were lazy, dirty, etc. Early National Geographic magazines were sometimes like that.
I hadn’t read this book before so I didn’t know the tone but it’s not surprising for the era.
Abigail wrote: "The first story in this batch, about All Hallows’ Eve, crystallized a vague discomfort I’ve been having with these stories—that they seem very patronizing toward their subjects. “Oh, the charming n..."This has been my feeling too. Also many of the stories seem simplistically moralistic or didactic to me. I am finding the book interesting and even enjoy the readings, but I'm less engaged and more of an aloof spectator than I normally am when I read fiction.
Mod
Also, the stories are very short and the characters are briefly sketched. At least it’s an easy break from some of the longer books.
I haven't really noticed the author's patronizing attitude toward her subjects. If it's there, which it probably is, it's likely that it doesn't bother me because I myself am naturally patronizing toward these more superstitious and less-learned people. Somehow my attitude is enabling me to enjoy these stories, though.These are my Mini-Reviews:
7. AN ALL-HALLOWS’ HONEYMOON
This is an oddly-superstitious story about the marital relations of a couple, who after years of battling, foresee the fate of their partner as sealed by the forces of traditional superstitions that their own prayers and wishes have created. The story begins with the husband, Vavasour Jones, jabbering on All-Hallow’s Eve with his friend, Eiler, about the inevitable destiny of his wife Catherine by the end of All-Hallow’s Eve.
I enjoyed this little tale, and its portrayal of the marriage of two strong-willed common Welsh residents who believe in the power of traditional superstitions and marriages. The well-portrayed emotions and attitudes of the couple are both alarming and heart-warming. I enjoyed the emotions this story elicited in me.
I rate it as 3.7 stars.
8. THE HERETIC’S WIFE
The story of a 70ish couple, Gabriel and Maggie Williams, tenants on the estate of the local Lord, Sir Evan. They are faced with the dilemma of complying with their landlord’s edict to attend his church of choice, an edict presented to them by the estate steward Mr. Thatcher. Mr. Thatcher also operated a local shop that he thinks the Williams should start shopping at.
The 70ish Gabriel is a stubborn heretic and has no intention of changing his belief system at this late stage of life and start attending church to his landlord’s behest or change his shopping habits. Maggie is an emotional wreck as she fears her husband’s resistance will result in their being evicted from their lifelong and generations-long home.
The story proceeds in some well-written dialogue between Gabriel and Maggie that create what seem like real and in-depth characterizations. The characters of the steward Mr. Thatcher and Sir Evan are also well-done. The characterization benefitted by this story being several pages longer than the average one.
I have to admit that Maggie calling Gabriel ‘father” and even “Dad” at times, did have me re-checking the chapter title to confirm that this was indeed a marital relationship. I realize that a couple addressing each other as “father” and “mother” is common in many cultures and seems, from these stories, to be so in Wales.
I rate it as 4.0 stars.
9. THE CHOICE
This is the story of a local Reverend, Samson Jones, as he appears to have his choice of two local women to be his mate: the widow Jenkin Morgan, and local schoolteacher Jane Elin Williams. While Reverend Jones has long loved widow Morgan, her insistence on waiting until her parents die to remarry has him wondering if he should move on and change his allegiance to the very helpful Jane Elin.
The story structure was intriguing as the tale is told primarily through dialogues between two characters; Keturah, the long time devoted servant at the rectory, and Deb, the Widow Morgan’s “cherry-cheeked” maid Deb. After some initial trouble determining who was who, the story set-up did become clearer and was a good way to tell the story. However, the events leading to the story’s climax left me unfulfilled so, despite some nice elements, I only found this story moderately satisfying.
I rate it as 3.0 stars.
Mod
I also noticed spouses calling each other Mother and Father in several of the stories, and you are right that they are spouses.
There is mention of Church vs chapel. My understanding is that Church is the Church of England, the established church, which is closest to Episcopal in the US. This was naturally the religion of the English landlord and his agent. The Welsh "chapels" were Methodist or other "low church" denominations, with no incense, icons, or other frills (but plenty of singing.)
Two stories have the moral that it's never too late for love, whether the spouses have been unkind to each other or the loved one is tied to her aging parents. We also saw that with the story of the hairpiece in an earlier story.