{ but there's someone who's torn it apart. }

[delga]

This morning, I finished reading Tom's Midnight Garden for children's lit. Later I have to catch up on Uncle Tom's Cabin and Native Son because I didn't read yesterday. I also have to remember to finish the research I'm doing for research skills.

But anyway. Tom's Midnight Garden. I remember this story quite vividly because I saw a film a long time ago, one that struck me very strongly. Having now read the book, I think it works much better as a screenplay. What links me to it so much, I suppose, is that it's set in parts of England that I recognise. I didn't think Flatlanders could evoke their surroundings, but apparently they can.

But what really gets me, in both the film and the novel, is the sadness of the passage of time. As an 'adult', I find the happiness at the end of the book to be subversive, because it's not happy at all. What if the brothers return a year later and Hatty has died? What about Abel and Susan, what happens to them? And this nature of Hatty's getting ever older, and Tom becoming ever more indiscernible, it's breaking. I really enjoyed the book, but it leaves me feeling anxious, the same way that the film did. (The film has an addendum with Tom finding a house which owns the grounds to the Melbourne house; he has the tree with the cat/hat symbol on it and then, as an adult, he comes back to claim it. But he can't really reclaim it, can he? Because the evocation of the memory begins with Hatty. Tom can't do it himself.)

Anyway. That's another one done. Maybe I should write for that in my essay instead of The Secret Garden?

--

So, yes, essaying today, properly this time around, and then I really do have to do research. If anyone knows where I can find information on the lives of people in country houses/palaces in 16th/17th Century, I'd be grateful for a link. We;re studying Hampton Court Palace and whilst there's scant information on King Henry VIII et al, there's nothing on the servants. Hate this project with a passion.

--

Erica has been located! Hurrah! Just have to find Baby Duck, now. Speaking of, new photos to post at duck_cheer, yay.

--

Yesterday I watched Grey's Anatomy (something about it felt a little off - I could see what emotional space Shonda Rhimes was aiming for but she just missed it) and Numb3rs. OH, DON. I have lots to say about One Hour and not nearly enough time. Sigh. SIGH.

Comments

[natushka.livejournal.com]

It might have just been the headspace I was in at the time, but this weeks Greys KILLED me, seriously. had me crying like a little bitch.

But yes, like i said, weird headspace at the time.

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

I really, really like Meredith as a character and most of the time her emotional storyline really pulls me in. But soem of the episode was off.

Sandra Oh for the win, though, because SHE made me bawl like a child. And the last shot of Izzie and Denny (even though I hated that story, they're angsty-sweet).

[wliberation.livejournal.com]

Heh. I love that Flatlander is still in your terminology. Also, does this mean that my theory is busted? Hmm.

Yay for finding Erica! And posting the pictures! I hope Baby Duck is safe and sound.

Plus, I admire your productivity. You're like my hero or something on that.

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

Of course it is. And no, I don't think she is a Flatlander so your theory stands. But she managed to make some of it sound pretty.

Btw, when we were talking about Secret Garden, I think that we were talking about different books. So.

I know! I was so relieved. I am ridiculously attached to these ducks.

I wish I was actually being productive, lol. I'm just doing lots of reading. I need to do an essay, too, but alas! LASS.

Which, heh, reminds me. There's an actual faction of the Law faculty called LASS. I have a lecture in the law building and they have a big noticeboard on the fourth floor. I was completely out of breath and moody and then I saw their name and I couldn't stop giggling. /dork

[wliberation.livejournal.com]

Well, phew. I was worried there for a minute. *G*

No? The one I have is by Frances Hodgson Burnett. That's not the same one?

Me too! The very idea of one of them getting lost is horrifying! Whenever I have Livingstone with me, I'm constantly checking that he's still in my bag to make sure that I haven't dropped him anywhere. And when I was taking the pictures, I was planning on taking one with a view from the bridges because that would have been pretty, but that would have required putting him on the railing and then I got this horrible mental image of him falling down and... *flails! panics! runs away quickly!* ...I am an obsessive worrier.

But reading books you're supposed to be reading is still more productive than what I have been doing. Which is absolutely nothing.

*LOL* Oh dear, I wonder what that faction is like then. Maybe you should go check if they ever do any work. :P

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

Oh. No, same book. OK. (That's the one I'm doing my essay on. If I ever get off my hind.)

Aie, I know! And I haven't heard from Bob at all. I know The Flatmate sent him to Australia but it's the wilds out there and we've heard nada so now I am worried. I don't want the mail to eat my ducks!

Heh. I would have been doing absolutely nothing this weekend except we're going out both nights next weekend to see some comedians so I want to have that weekend as dossing time. Which means I have to do work now, unfortunately.

Haha, I know. Next time I'm there, I'll try to find out what LASS actually stands for.

[natushka.livejournal.com]

Yes, Sandra wins at life. I think she set me off.

Umm yes and Denny and Izzie at the end was like oh so beautiful (I'm not into that pairing but Denny is just so pretty when he is smiling)

[hestia8.livejournal.com]

Apologies if this is late but I am way behind on my flist as per usual. Do you still need the country house stuff? I seem to remember doing a presentation on servants in the country house when I did the CH module during my degree, and I think I've got either some information or the handout on a CD-ROM at home. Let me know if it's still relevant and I'll dig it out tonight...

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

That? Would be amazing. I only really need it for the period of 15/16th century, but it would be awesome. Thanks if you can help!

[hestia8.livejournal.com]

Cool, I'll have a search tonight :) I've probably got *something* on the 15th/16th century in there.