Quote:
Originally Posted by Bookpossum
That's a good point Victoria. I had interpreted it as his wanting to make sure that Neville didn't slip away, but was there as his scapegoat if any other discoveries were made.
One factor that suggests Edwin could have survived was the behaviour of Mr Grewgious when he told John Jasper of the decision of Edwin and Rosa to terminate their engagement. He seemed to be very detached in observing Jasper's extreme reaction to this:
His calm observation of Jasper's horror and faint at learning he had (as he thought at any rate) killed Edwin for no reason, suggests that Grewgious knew that Edwin had survived and was perhaps testing his theory that the attacker was indeed Jasper.
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Preventing Neville’s escape does make sense. It struck me as being taken to an extreme level, but I’m probably just out of practice reading Dickens and the level of passion / melodrama of that era.
Grewgious’ response did show a lot of disdain towards Jasper - like he was examining an insect. And it was out of character because we know he was a kind man. It could be he had knowledge or at least suspicions about an attack against Edwin. But I wonder - if he thought Jasper was that dangerous, would he have left Rosa at Nun’s House?
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmw
Or, Grewgious remains calm because Grewgious is the guilty party.
With a bit of imagination I think I could get most of the cast hanged for murdering Drood.
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gmw I’m pretty sure you could - you’ve already hung most of them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bookpossum
You have been reading too many Agatha Christies, gmw!
Grewgious is the person who will make sure of Jasper’s downfall. He is like Mr Micawber in David Copperfield sorting out Uriah Heep.
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I’m with
Bookpossum on this one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmw
Edit: Rosebud definitely improves further into the story, though I'm not convinced the improvement is a permanent one.
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Yes, Dickens actually surprised with Rosa, when he has her show more spunk towards the end (which was really just the middle). Maybe her friendship with Helena had a fortifying affect on her.