I think it especially struck me because it doesn't feel mean-spirited on his part, but it's SO unconsciously condescending—and results in his wife feeling small and silly, which shows that Bell is AWARE of what that dynamic looks and feels like, and I'd argue that it's not purely played for laughs—that I might want to kick him even more than I would if he was being mean on purpose? It was such an odd moment.
I love how you keep finding these delightfully weird books.
The EXPLODING into poops and the BURSTING with curiosity - said in serious grimness - are also kind of odd moments themselves. These people are just... well, there's a lot of pressure built up... ☺
Interesting to note as well that curiosity is so punished. Harriet the Spy was considered quite a terrible girl for prying and sneaking, and curiosity - in women, anyway - is something that must be scolded away. Is this some post McCarthyism backlash?
The slow build of trust between the kids and the Captain is interesting partly because he lets Ginger come behind the fence first, and Gary CLEARLY doesn't like that. It felt to me like the Captain thought she was the least intimidating (which likely is an assumption based partly on gender, though he'd had time to observe them for a while before that), but it also felt like he really *noticed* it when Gary was being bossy/unfair even though he didn't comment on it directly. It's a genuinely odd little book.
Poop!
It makes me laugh every time I think of it! "Exploding into poops" is just such an amazing string of words, hahahaha.
"Special" heartiness - the kind of hearty laugh saved JUST for nosy wives, clearly.
God help us if girls get big ideas and have to be laughed at carefully so they'll simmer down and get back to minding the patriarchy... *EYE ROLL*
I think it especially struck me because it doesn't feel mean-spirited on his part, but it's SO unconsciously condescending—and results in his wife feeling small and silly, which shows that Bell is AWARE of what that dynamic looks and feels like, and I'd argue that it's not purely played for laughs—that I might want to kick him even more than I would if he was being mean on purpose? It was such an odd moment.
I love how you keep finding these delightfully weird books.
The EXPLODING into poops and the BURSTING with curiosity - said in serious grimness - are also kind of odd moments themselves. These people are just... well, there's a lot of pressure built up... ☺
Interesting to note as well that curiosity is so punished. Harriet the Spy was considered quite a terrible girl for prying and sneaking, and curiosity - in women, anyway - is something that must be scolded away. Is this some post McCarthyism backlash?
People *still* take issue with Harriet, sigh.
The slow build of trust between the kids and the Captain is interesting partly because he lets Ginger come behind the fence first, and Gary CLEARLY doesn't like that. It felt to me like the Captain thought she was the least intimidating (which likely is an assumption based partly on gender, though he'd had time to observe them for a while before that), but it also felt like he really *noticed* it when Gary was being bossy/unfair even though he didn't comment on it directly. It's a genuinely odd little book.