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#1: Theodora and the Chalet School Author: jennifer, Location: Taiwan

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:21 pm
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This is, if I remember correctly, rather badly hacked in the pb version.

What do people think of Margot's struggle with her jealousy over Ted and Rosamund, and the eventual blow up? Is Mary-Lou overstepping her authority when she interferes with the triplets and Ted? How about the irony of Len being dressed down for being too contientious after she's asked to look after Ted?

Then we have Jack's treatment of Margot after the clock incident, and the decision to keep all knowledge of the incident from Joey, and Ted's mandatory name change.

#2: Author: JayB, Location: SE England

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:33 pm
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Quote:

What do people think of Margot's struggle with her jealousy over Ted and Rosamund

I think Margot's jealousy is realistic. What does annoy me is that she gets so many chances at reformation. First after she falls into Lake Lucerne, then this time, and then after she nearly kills Betty Landon. She never seems to suffer any real consequences for her actions.

Quote:

Is Mary-Lou overstepping her authority when she interferes with the triplets and Ted?

I think Mary Lou is way out of line. This is far more serious than normal prefect things like talking slang and messing about in prep. As far as the Maynards were concerned, it wasn't really a school matter at all. And she had no right to start lecturing Ted on her past sins, when Ted had been assured that it was all forgotten. But then, Mdlle and Kathie knew about it and let her get on with it when they could have stepped in.

Quote:

How about the irony of Len being dressed down for being too contientious after she's asked to look after Ted?

Considering how Joey repeatedly dumps responsibility on Len - for Rosamund, for Ted, for her younger siblings - and considering that it's none other than M-L doing the dressing down... And Con comes in for her share too, although she has done nothing wrong.

Quote:

the decision to keep all knowledge of the incident from Joey

Excusable initially perhaps if she really was unwell in the later stages of her pregnancy. But she should have been told afterwards. She should have known something so important about her own daughter, especially considering how many other people knew what had happened.

All that said, this was one of my favourite of the Swiss books when I was young. I always liked the sequence from Problem onwards which dealt with the triplets in their early to mid teens and their friends - Rosamund, Ted, Ricki etc.

Jay B.

#3: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:44 pm
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Margot's jealousy is quite realistic, but I think she got off too lightly over the way she treated Ted - I know she was sorry but it doesn't make that sort of bullying acceptable. I feel sorry for everyone else concerned, but I do think that that kind of thing's unfortunately not unusual at school.

Mary-Lou in this case was trying to help in a very difficult situation -she overstepped the mark, but one of the mistresses should perhaps have said something when Mary-Lou asked to go on the Fifth Form trip. & why did OOAO get a special leaving present when none of the other head girls ever did ?!!

As for Ted's name change, I can see what Joey was getting at, although she was a bit "forceful" about it! I can understand them not wanting to upset Joey over Margot) if she was unwell during her last month of pregnancy, but I really don't like the way Jack behaves over this - he just refuses to speak to Margot for 2 weeks. It's hardly the best way of dealing with things! A few weeks later he then handles the Mike/cliff accident really badly as well Rolling Eyes

#4: Author: Elle, Location: Peterborough

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:50 pm
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Quote:

she nearly kills Betty Landon.

Which book does this happen in? (sorry to hijack the tread).

#5: Author: JayB, Location: SE England

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:52 pm
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Elle wrote:

Quote:

she nearly kills Betty Landon.

Which book does this happen in? (sorry to hijack the tread).

Triplets.

Jay B.

#6: Author: JayB, Location: SE England

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:16 pm
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Alison H wrote:

I really don't like the way Jack behaves over this - he just refuses to speak to Margot for 2 weeks. It's hardly the best way of dealing with things! A few weeks later he then handles the Mike/cliff accident really badly as well Rolling Eyes

Margot as a small child and teenager gets into trouble at times for failing to control her temper. Yet Jack has reached his forties with his temper still so violent that apparently he's afraid of losing control while disciplining his son. But that's all right because it was all Mike's fault for behaving like a normal small boy.

Jay B.

#7: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:51 pm
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The paperback doesn't give a great deal of information about exactly what happened in the study when Margot confesses to the Head - I understand it was actually far worse than it appears? That she did, in fact, come very close to expulsion? If anyone can transcribe that scene I'd be grateful.

I think the whole changing Ted's name was a bit pushy - but then that's Joey and perhaps she felt that was the best way to show Ted that she could start with a clean slate. Also she (Joey) was the one that was so positive about allowing Ted to come in the first place.

Margot's jealousy is well realised - even though, to everyone else, her attitude was unbelievable - after all she had been the one that had branched out - had Emerence as a friend. I think Margot's problem was that she had been spoilt as a young child (didn't Joey even confess to that?) because, being the frail youngest triplet, she wasn't expected to live. And forever afterwards her bad temper is something that is pandered to - mustn't make Margot angry so give way to her. She didn't seem to have many instances where she was actually punished for her temper - the time in Rescue being Jack's work. Whereas Joey appears to have tried to shield her - and tries to in Rescue.

Mary Lou's situation - well in one way she was doing what she always does - butting in - but doing so out of a genuine wish to help and look after the triplets. Miss Ferrars and Mlle Lepattre knew something was going on and felt she could handle it or would know to pass it on, so from that point of view I've no problem with it. Also have no problem with her treatment of Margot - she recognised this was something she couldn't handle and was there to support Margot as she went to the Head.

What I don't like though is Mary Lou's treatment of Ted, Len and Con. Ted had done nothing wrong yet has to suffer her old sins being brought up and having to listen to the Head Girl's opinion of them - hardly fair. Len had done no more than Mary Lou herself would have done, and something that she had been expected to do almost from birth. As for Con - why was it such a huge crime for her to make a remark about the clock? Why did that translate to her speaking without realising the consequences of her actions? I feel she was very unfairly treated here.

Jack's response is very cruel and unkind - especially as it appears that Margot has inherited his temperament - and he hasn't learnt because, a few weeks later, he does something similar to his 7 year old son. Not impressed with Jack at all.

#8: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:41 pm
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Lesley wrote:

The paperback doesn't give a great deal of information about exactly what happened in the study when Margot confesses to the Head - I understand it was actually far worse than it appears? That she did, in fact, come very close to expulsion? If anyone can transcribe that scene I'd be grateful.

Actually, the hardback doesn't say much either! (not sure how much of this is also in the paperback)

The Head was right when she said she was wanted. From the time she reached the school until the time when she shut her bedroom door on the world and sank down in a chair for an hour’s rest before going to bed, she was kept hard at it. But then her mind went back to that night when Mary-Lou had brought Margot to her to confess.
It had been a difficult interview, but by the time Margot had got to the end of her sorry tale—including the eavesdropping—the Head had known where she stood.
“I certainly didn’t spare her,” she mused. “And from all I can gather, Mary-Lou expected that, for from what Margot says, it was her kindness and offer to stand by that finally persuaded her to come to me. What a blessing that girl has been to us, all through her school-life! Though,” and she laughed to herself, “I admit I didn’t think so much of it when she made that wild start and nearly gave herself brain-fever by trying to catch up with Clem. But all through, she has been just what we want our girls to be. When the time comes for her to say good-bye to us finally, I shall have the joy of knowing that we are sending forth a girl who will bear the standard of the Chalet School right through her life.”
Her thoughts went on with the days immediately following when Jack Maynard had to be called in to ask what should be done about the clock. He had insisted on hearing the whole story and in his deep disgust at his daughter’s doings had nearly broken Margot’s heart. For a full fortnight he had refused to have anything to do with her. Margot adored her father and his coldness had made her realise more fully than ever how far she had fallen. He wanted to have the clock given back to Emerence, but the Head had coaxed him to change his mind.

That's it. The hardback just jumps from Margot says she's "going now" to Jo not being allowed to ask any questions. Just another 'behind closed doors' scene...

#9: Author: Mel, Location: UP NORTH

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:44 pm
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I think Margot is 'nearly' expelled in Triplets over the book-end business. She is extremely unpleasant in Theodora and I always feel that this mushrooms out of no-where. Has the jealousy of her sisters' friends happened before? It is good that she does get a big shock here but realistically this should be the end but she continues to show this temper all the way up the school. I think EBD would be shocked at the reaction to ML's interference as it is the culmination of ML's wonderful career as a meddler. She even gets a unique prize for it!

#10: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:52 pm
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Thanks KB, I think I was mixing that scene with the one after the bookend. Pity we didn't see a proper study scene - but so often EBD leaves us at the study door.

#11: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:57 pm
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Yes, the Triplets scene is rather more descriptive:

Quote:

Margot had struggled into a sitting position and was mopping her eyes. The Head, with an eye to her face, all puffed and mottled with crying, realised that the girl had had a nasty shock. Knowing Margot, she instantly jumped to the correct conclusion that she had had a good deal to do with the matter. The first thing was to get her calmed. Questions could come after.
Miss Annersley's first remark, therefore, was a minor shock. “ Really, Margot, there can't be any need to scrub your eyes like that. Get up and go and sponge your face thoroughly with cold water. You'll feel much better then. Run along; I'll wait here for you.”
She swung the chair round to the window and sat down while Margot, her sobs partly checked by this matter-of-fact way of dealing with things, rolled off the bed and went to do as she was told. When she came back, apart from an occasional choke, she had stopped crying. The water had brought her face to something more like itself and her head, though still aching, felt better. As for the toothache, she had forgotten about it in the throes of her remorse.
“ That's better,” Miss Annersley said, regarding her critically. “ Tidy your hair and then come with me. Be quick! I'm teaching next period, so I can't waste any time.”
Margot brushed her curls and then turned. “I'm ready now, Miss Annersley.”
“ Good! Then come along.”
She took the girl into her own quarters.If they went to the study, there might be half-a-dozen interruptions to cope with.
“Now, Margot,” she said when they were in her private sittingroom, “ what have you to tell me?”
“ That it was all my fault - my beastly temper,” Margot said in low tones.
“ What was all your fault?” “ Betty's accident!”
“How did you manage that, I wonder?” Miss Annersley kept her voice quietly conversational and it helped Margot.
“ I lost my temper with her -- no; I was in a temper to start with. I was rowing with Len and Betty said something and - well, I just grabbed the first thing handy and chucked it at her.”
“ I see. What did you throw? Try to keep from using so much slang.”
“ I'm sorry; I forgot. It-it was one of my book-ends.” Margot was crimson as she said this and she refused to meet the keen eyes contemplating her.
The Head was silent for a moment. Then she said, “ Quite an unpleasant missile! And a most unpleasant confession from you. You are sixteen now and yet you can still behave like one of the little girls in a rage. Really, Margot!”
It was impossible for Margot to go any redder. She shuffled her feet and said nothing. The Head watched her for a moment. When she spoke again her voice was so incisive that Margot jumped.
“ Look at me, Margot!” Margot raised her eyes and, even as Jack and Go had found, felt it impossible to look away. “This is no more than a most disappointing return to your earlier childishness. What excuse have you?”
“ I-it was toothache.”
“ Toothache?”
“ Yes!”
“ Yours - or Betty's?”
“ M-mine !”
“ How long have you had it?”
“ Since the beginning of the week - off and on.”
“ Why did you not report to Matron at once? You know the rules!”
Margot was tongue-tied. Miss Annersley sat gazing at her. An answer was clearly indicated, but how could she say, “ I funked the dentist”? She couldn't. But those ice-cold eyes were compelling her to speak. Very like the little girl with whom she had been compared, she faltered out, “ I-I didn't want to go to the dentist. I thought - it might go off.”
“ Come to the window.Open your mouth and let me see.”
Margot was a tall girl, but the Head was just a little taller. She stooped down and examined the mouth closely. What she saw nearly brought an exclamation from her, but she suppressed it in time. She no longer wondered that the girl was looking white with black shadows under her eyes. The tooth was in a bad way. Secretly, the Head doubted if even Herr von Francius could save it. She said nothing about that, however.
“ Yes; that will do,” she said. “ Come and sit down again. Now please tell me how long this has been going on.”
Margot thought back. “ Really, I suppose I felt it last week - Saturday afternoon. I was eating toffee and it stuck to my teeth. I had to get it clear with my finger and later, I felt a hole. It didn't begin to ache till Sunday, though, when I was eating Edinburgh rock.”
“ I see.” There was a long pause during which Margot sat wondering what was going to happen now and the Head revolved many things in her mind. Margot's dread of the dentist was inherited. Joey Maynard had gone to ridiculous lengths in her own school days in her efforts to avoid him. At the same time it was absurd for a girl of Margot's age to show such cowardice. She looked across at her and decided to speak.
“ And so,” she said in measured tones, “ because you are a coward, you have come near to killing another girl. If the blow had been less than half-an-inch nearer the temple Betty might be dead now. Do you realize that?”
Margot stared at her in silence, her face as white as it had been red.
“ Is-is that true ?” she at last asked tonelessly.
“Absolutely true.”
Margot flinched visibly. “ I-I” she stopped.
“You see,” said the Head, “to what lengths your unbridled rage might have led you. I am sure you never meant to hurt Betty, but you let your temper get the better of you.”
Margot had nothing to say. Miss Annersley looked at her thoughtfully. Between the pain of her tooth and the shock of Betty's injury, she thought she had had nearly enough. She went on.
“ You are almost sixteen-and-a-half, yet your own little sister Felicity, who is nine years younger, would be ashamed to behave as you have, done.”
Margot was nearly in tears again. “ None - of the others - were born - with such a temper as mine. I can't - help it!” she gasped.
“ That's nonsense. Len has quite as hot a temper as yours, but she manages to keep it under. Of course you can help it if you try. However, all this is beside the point.I tell you plainly, Margot, that if this is to go on I must ask your parents to remove you. I cannot under-take such a responsibility any longer. I must think of the other girls.”
Margot jumped up. “ Not that - oh, please not that!” she cried.
“ Sit down and listen to what I have to say,” the Head returned, her tone softening a little. “No; I shall not expel you now. I will give you another chance. I am hoping that the clear knowledge of what might have happened will help you to try harder and to keep on trying. You are to stay here this morning until I come to you again. Until then, I want you to think of what I have said and to pray to God that you may be given strength to fight this bosom enemy of yours. Believe me, child,” her voice was growing kinder, “ it is the only way for any of us. Now I must go, but I'll ask Matron to come and see what she can do to relieve your pain until we can take you to Berne.”
“ Th-thank you,” Margot said shakily. “ And - and I'll do - as you said.”
Miss Annersley had risen and the girl rose with her. The Head set her hands on the slim shoulders and looked down into the pale face. “ Yes; I know that. And Margot, don't despair. You'll win in the end if you really try.”

#12: Author: macyrose, Location: Great White North (Canada)

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 4:48 am
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From The Chalet School and the Lintons - Mademoiselle Lepattre it talking to Thekla regarding the probable effects on Mrs. Linton of Thekla's attempt to get Joyce Linton expelled:

Quote:

I want you to think of that, Thekla - to remember that it is only by God's mercy that you are not, indirectly, at least, a murderess."

From Triplets:

Quote:

And so,” she said in measured tones, “ because you are a coward, you have come near to killing another girl. If the blow had been less than half-an-inch nearer the temple Betty might be dead now. Do you realize that?”

So Thekla is expelled for almost causing the death of someone but Margot is not? Yes, Thekla is told that other things as well contributed to the final decision of her expulsion but even so I definitely think it pays to be a Maynard!

#13: Author: JayB, Location: SE England

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:48 am
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Quote:

Margot is far more culpable regarding Betty than Thekla was WRT Mrs Linton, and overall I don't think Margot's record is that much better than Thekla's. Definitely double standards here!

Jay B.

#14: Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:12 pm
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But different headmistresses too - so you wouldn't expect the exact same treatment from them.

#15: Author: JackieP, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:15 pm
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Going a little OT here, but if I recall correctly, Margot at least showed remorse for what she'd done - whereas Thekla didn't. I think that was the deciding factor with the expulsions.

JackieP

#16: Author: jennifer, Location: Taiwan

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 4:40 pm
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I find it interesting that Joey and Jack are never, ever responsible for the bad behaviour of their children, that it *must* be an inherent character flaw.

Quote:

For it isn't as if she hadn't had plenty of sympathy when she was in trouble, and Jack and I have tried to give her the very best training we could. It's worked all right with the others, but Margot just didn't seem able to respond. I've always said that she got a bigger share of natural
wickedness that all the rest put together.

Let's summarise Margot's upbringing.

Margot was frail as a child, and consequently spoiled, getting her used to being the centre of attention. She has a quick temper, and, as has been pointed out, Joey has trouble coping with it, and tries to shield her behaviour from Jack, who is away much of the time. Her sisters learn to tiptoe around her moods or just give her what she wants, to avoid her tantrums and the fuss associated. She invents her devil, who is acknowledged and accepted by her family as a real person, allowing her to shift responsiblity for many of her misdeeds.

She is publically identified as the bright but lazy one - in Three Go, when they are seven years old, it's already being discussed by Mary-Lou and Joey, and is later generally discussed by other students. She's shipped off to Canada for a year without her family She is berated by the headmistress for being in a form with girls her own age, rather than several years above her age level, like her triplets. Although she's seen as emotionally immature and rather lazy she is continually pushed up in form, only to be left down at the beginning of the year, and pushed up again a term later, always lagging behind the others.

Sounds like a recipe for a seriously screwed up child to me. She's been indulged and allowed to get away with things, but also repeatedly told that she doesn't measure up to her triplets - she's the bad one, the lazy one, the one who doesn't try hard enough. She's continually pushed to catch up with them, but keeps slipping back and made to feel like a failure at the beginning of each term.

---

The Lake Lucerne incident is just thoughtlessness and mischeviousness, and probably a sign that at just eleven Margot is not old enough to be treated with the same freedom as the other 13, 14 and 15 year olds.

Now here, she is guilty of eavesdropping, deliberate and systematic bullying of a new girl, attempted blackmail and accepting a much too valuable gift from a classmate. Her father's response is to shun her completely and her mother is never even told of any of it. From the school end, she gets a verbal dressing down but no other consequences. If anything, this should at least warrant a suspension or some other serious repercussion.

#17: Author: Mel, Location: UP NORTH

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:58 pm
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Interesting stuff Jennifer, that Joey is never responsible. Compare with her sister-in-law Lydia who is blamed for Rolf's disobedience and therefore his death.

#18: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:59 pm
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Nice summary, Jennifer - to add to it - Margot doesn't learn anything from this situation - less than two years later she nearly kills another girl because she loses her temper for no reason - Betty's comment was totally understandable and innocuous. And even after that she still has a reputation for having a short temper.

It seems that all the verbal dressings down in the world don't have any impact - and her behaviour is excused because of toothache and Betty is partially blamed for almost being killed!!!

#19: Author: Katherine, Location: London, UK

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:13 pm
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JayB wrote:

Margot is far more culpable regarding Betty than Thekla was WRT Mrs Linton, and overall I don't think Margot's record is that much better than Thekla's. Definitely double standards here!
Jay B.

To ba fair to Margot there was no malicious intent in the Betty and the Bookend incident, whereas with Thekla there was.
(Although it has to be admitted there was malice in the Ted incident.)

#20: Re: Theodora and the Chalet School Author: Loryat,

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:49 pm
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jennifer wrote:

This is, if I remember correctly, rather badly hacked in the pb version.

What do people think of Margot's struggle with her jealousy over Ted and Rosamund, and the eventual blow up?

I think this is actually quite interesting, and I can sort of understand Margot's point of view even if it is a bit lopsided. Margot has probably always felt a bit left out of the tripletship since she got sent away to Canada so early on. Consequently she becomes friends with Emerence. She doesn't feel so bad when Len and Con are friends only with each other, but when they go about getting themselves friends outside the tripletship, Margot feels that she will be even more left out as she imagines these friends will be more to Len and Con than her.

Margot's decision to blackmail Ted is unkind and immoral of course, but I can understand where her resentment comes from even if I don't approve of her actions.

[quote=] Is Mary-Lou overstepping her authority when she interferes with the triplets and Ted? How about the irony of Len being dressed down for being too contientious after she's asked to look after Ted?[/quote]
Mary Lou is overstepping her authority in the real world. I think EBD just wanted her to be involved with the outcome so we could have a last shot of her being a star head girl. This would have been fine if it wasn't for all the rearranging of holidays etc that was done. Maybe she tried to have the holiday and follow it up with the showdown but realised this went on too long?

It's very funny that M-L lectures Len while she herself is wading in in a most horrendous manner...however I think it's good that Len was encouraged to let her sisters stand by themselves, even if this should have been done more sensitively.

[quote=]Then we have Jack's treatment of Margot after the clock incident, and the decision to keep all knowledge of the incident from Joey, and Ted's mandatory name change.[/quote]
I think the first two are just symptomatic of the period and EBD's own attitudes. The Maynards seem to have expected their children to operate on a very high moral plane and to have punished them as they would an adult for any relapses. However, maybe Jack's treatment of Margot taught her a good lesson.

I never really had a problem with the mandatory name change. Though Joey seems to think it a must, she doesn't actually force Ted to accept the name, and suggests other options. I think this is a positive step as Ted is being shown she can literally become a new person at this school, and won't suffer from her reputation as she did at the last one.

#21: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:54 pm
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Frankly, I think both Len and Margot come out badly in the Ted incident, the people who should really shoulder the blame are Jo and Jack, especially Jack. No matter how bad your child has been, refusing to talk to them for two weeks is just down right cruel. As for the treatment of Mike a couple of months later... Evil or Very Mad

#22: Author: jennifer, Location: Taiwan

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:16 am
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Ruth B wrote:

Frankly, I think both Len and Margot come out badly in the Ted incident, the people who should really shoulder the blame are Jo and Jack, especially Jack. No matter how bad your child has been, refusing to talk to them for two weeks is just down right cruel. As for the treatment of Mike a couple of months later... Evil or Very Mad

Yes, Jack (and Jem) do have issues with anger management.

If he's doing it deliberately to punish the child, it's just plain cruel, and quite frankly a good spanking would be much more reasonable (and I'm not a fan of corporal punishment). Teaching your kid that you won't love them if they act badly (Margot), and that their mother's health, safety and comfort is more important than their own (Mike) is just bad parenting.

If he's doing it because he's so angry he can't trust himself in the child's presence, then I think Jack and Joey need to be less hard on *Margot's* temper and start working on training *Jack's* - he's in his mid to late 40s, Margot is 14 and Mike is 7.

Actually, I think they did Margot a big disservice by pushing her up in form. She's immature, has poor self control and is and rather lazy, but is expected to behave like girls several years older than she is, just because she's bright. The Lake Lucerne incident is a good example - she's a young 11, and is sent off on an expedition with girls 2-4 years older than she is, and expected to display the same level of maturity and control. If she were with girls her own age, they would be more closesly supervised and regulated.

#23: Author: Loryat,

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:36 pm
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JackieP wrote:

Going a little OT here, but if I recall correctly, Margot at least showed remorse for what she'd done - whereas Thekla didn't. I think that was the deciding factor with the expulsions.

JackieP

I'm sure it was. Margot is clearly remorseful, Thekla, even when asked very pointed questions, shows no remorse at all. Mademoiselle even says that if Thekla had shown some remorse she might have been given another chance.

Plus, Margot's crime - in this instance anyway - comes about as Margot has more or less lost her head and doesn't think. Thekla was acting in cold blood.

The only other incident similar to the 'bookend' one that I can think of is when Deira throws the stone at Grizel. This is after spitefully destroying her possessions and not giving her the resepct she deserves as Head Girl. As far as I can remember Deira gets no punishment at all. Probably, because she is clearly remorseful.

#24: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:04 pm
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Loryat wrote:

Plus, Margot's crime - in this instance anyway - comes about as Margot has more or less lost her head and doesn't think. Thekla was acting in cold blood.

The only other incident similar to the 'bookend' one that I can think of is when Deira throws the stone at Grizel. This is after spitefully destroying her possessions and not giving her the resepct she deserves as Head Girl. As far as I can remember Deira gets no punishment at all. Probably, because she is clearly remorseful.

I agree... EBD seems to think that a hot temper is preferable to a cold one - I'm thinking Diana in Bride when she wrecks the study too (being all premeditated and involving younger girls and all) - she's cast as a real villian.

#25: Re: Theodora and the Chalet School Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:22 pm
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jennifer wrote:

Is Mary-Lou overstepping her authority when she interferes with the triplets and Ted?

Not to mention revealing that Odette's mother is ill to the majority of the Fifth form when she admits that Odette may not know the truth herself.

This is the book which killed off any affection I ever had for Mary-Lou. She may have all the good intentions in the world but she clearly has no tact and the sensitivity evident in her earlier treatment of Jessica Wayne has all but vanished. In the real world the younger girls would have deeply resented her interference - Len in particular.

But then, I reckon that in RL Ted would have resented the fact that a complete stranger who wasn't even a member of staff a) knew all about her previous record and b) had decided without any form of consultation to abbreviate her name as this would undoubtedly reform her.

#26: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 2:13 pm
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This is one of the reasons that I dislike OOAO. The question of blackmail alone means that it should have been dealt with by the Headmistress, and the clock was no concern of Mary-Lou's. And to tell Len off for behaving as she herself was at that moment was the outside of enough. What OOAO needed was to be told to cast out the beam in her own eye before tackling the mote in someone else's.

The problem was that EBD saw OOAO as almost perfect, the natural inheritatrix of Jo's mantle, which led her to write the staff as being too weak to tell Mary-Lou to back off, it was their business to solve problems, not hers.

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