Question 7: Substance

[Lauren]

At places in the book, Davy Carr criticizes 1920s society (see Ch. 1, pg. 28 for Davy's view on women and alcohol) or relates others' criticism (see Ch. 3, p. 46 for Don's opinions on the "inferiority complex" of black America, which I found both enlightening and offensive).

Edward Christopher Williams wrote a book that criticizes the frivolity of modern society while centering on a light-hearted romance. Did this combination of frivolity and philosophy work or did it undermine both?

[Ashley]

Good question, Lauren! I think it worked, because it showed how Davy's own rigidity couldn't stand up to a lively woman who constantly sought to subvert his "taming" of her. It's your classic head vs. heart scenario, which is where Williams generates what little conflict this novel has. As I said in my previous post, what drives Davy batty about Caroline is what attracts him to her.

Davy's views are just that--VIEWS--until he falls for a girl who embraces everything he hates. What I loved was that Davy had to let go and let Caroline manage herself, thank you very much. Caroline being Caroline was what he wanted in the end.

I suppose this split could also be construed as the somewhat typical male desire for a sex goddess in bed and a demure little lady in public, but I don't think that's what Davy is shooting for. I think he genuinely loves the Caroline-ness of Caroline.

[Lauren]

"Caroline being Caroline was what he wanted in the end. "

^Exactly. That's part of what I liked about this book.

In going over my notes yesterday (I had to return the book), I was struck by the thought that, in some ways, this is a larger commentary on American society in the 1920s with the late Victorian mores being slowly seduced by modern ideas.