THE ASSIGNMENT:
Period Advice
Reply, in the voice of a literary character, to the posted letter
Deliciously wrought by
ELEGANCE of FASHION
A Period Blog
~For the whole post, including initiating letter, please refer to above.
I, Foxmorton, shall reply as the character of Miss Havisham
from GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Mister Charles Dickens
from GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Mister Charles Dickens
My Dear Miss Eyre. How very good to make your acquaintance.
Come nearer. Let me look at you. Come close. Look at me. You aren't afraid of a woman who has never seen the sun since before you were born?
Ah, yes. Daylight will blight you if you are not ever vigilant. I should have knowledge of that, should I not?
A broken heart, you think you will die. But you just keep living day after day after terrible day.
Cake, dear? There seems to be a surplus.
Would it be weakness for your Mister Rochester to return respect? Return love?
You are harboring an illusion if you think you will remain unscathed by the touch of love, no matter his decision. Would that beauty's revenge stopped his heart now, as he has stopped so many others.
Cholera in the tropics, perhaps? Fitting.
Miss Ingram? Pah! Is she beautiful? Graceful? Do you admire her? Well, then. You must do what you will.
I'll tell you, what real love is. It is blind devotion, unquestioning self-humiliation, utter submission, trust and belief against yourself and against the whole world, giving up your whole heart and soul to the smiter. That is what real love is.
Are your prepared to face the consequences?
Have a care, dear. Rat atop your reticule.
You ask my advice. I shall give it to you. Love him, love him, love him! If he favours you, love him. If he wounds you, love him. If he tears your heart to pieces – and as it gets older and stronger, it will tear deeper – love him, love him, love him!
And dear, if you should wed him, please communicate me the date. I have the perfect frock to lend!
You may show yourself out now. And do hand me that silver fork before you go.
Come nearer. Let me look at you. Come close. Look at me. You aren't afraid of a woman who has never seen the sun since before you were born?
Ah, yes. Daylight will blight you if you are not ever vigilant. I should have knowledge of that, should I not?
A broken heart, you think you will die. But you just keep living day after day after terrible day.
Cake, dear? There seems to be a surplus.
Would it be weakness for your Mister Rochester to return respect? Return love?
You are harboring an illusion if you think you will remain unscathed by the touch of love, no matter his decision. Would that beauty's revenge stopped his heart now, as he has stopped so many others.
Cholera in the tropics, perhaps? Fitting.
Miss Ingram? Pah! Is she beautiful? Graceful? Do you admire her? Well, then. You must do what you will.
I'll tell you, what real love is. It is blind devotion, unquestioning self-humiliation, utter submission, trust and belief against yourself and against the whole world, giving up your whole heart and soul to the smiter. That is what real love is.
Are your prepared to face the consequences?
Have a care, dear. Rat atop your reticule.
You ask my advice. I shall give it to you. Love him, love him, love him! If he favours you, love him. If he wounds you, love him. If he tears your heart to pieces – and as it gets older and stronger, it will tear deeper – love him, love him, love him!
And dear, if you should wed him, please communicate me the date. I have the perfect frock to lend!
You may show yourself out now. And do hand me that silver fork before you go.
14 comments:
My dear lady, you are on such a creative roll. If only I'd read this book.
I love this letter...I remember the book so well. It has been years since I read it. You have done a brilliantly creative write for the challenge.
Thanks for the entry!
I did enjoy being scared, by the fire
in her house. It keep me in shivers and nightmares for months! Yes I think you kept in character!
'ello Miss Eyre
I must start by saying that I am not much of a letter writing person but shall endeavor to do my very best to respond to your inquiry for advice.
From what ye 'ave written I find it all quite disconcerting that ye be abandoned n' the countryside with a dosher who sounds like a right broodie chap.
Since ye be seeking advice Miss. I will say I am pretty good at reading between the lines and I fancy meself a bit o' a match maker as well. The story 'ere is quite simple really. Ye need te get out and be social with folk. Ye need to meet other people and enjoy yer young life. Nuthin' more important then getting' out with mates and tossin' a few Spindlies down yer neck. Many of the young ladies 'ere n' the East end are very social and 'ave many friends. Most important te 'ave good friends Miss.
If what ye write is true, this dosher Mr. Rochester appears te already 'ave a little strumpet in the wings. Ye don't wanna compete with those arranged situations Miss. If he cared about ye he would surely pay ye mind Miss more then just a roof o'er yer head n' a child to tend.
This may be bold as brass tacks but, ' I 'appen to know a good barber who keeps shop n' Fleet Street that could do with meetin' a young lady such as yerself. As of late h'es been keepin' company with a washed up widow by the name o' Missus Lovett.
Forgive me Miss, as I am no friend of the afore mentioned. As of late she opened 'er very own pie shop in rivalry o' mine and I suspect that if a young lady such as yerself were to come into the picture well perhaps the barber's head would be turned in your favour. But I digress.
Truthfully Miss, I think ye be better catching the next omnibus out o' there and consider yerself lucky.
I know 'ow this 'ighlife can effect the brain, straight te yer head like a cheap gin toss.
From yer description I liken this Mr. Rochester to a cut o' meat. Flank steak Miss. All red n' juicy on the outside. But a might tough n' not very pleasant if it ain't handled right and from the sounds of it Miss yer in no position to do so.
Ye also speak of Love Miss, LOVE. Love is not for everyone. I 'ave experienced LOVE. It is a bitter pill. Taken with sugar it is still something to be spat out or ye will die from it's ill effects. I see it in the public houses every evening. Love is found on the street corners as well. I do not want to discourage ye young heart Miss only to say be cautious.
I feel that in this brief letter I am writing I 'ave now come to understand yer situation.
My advice to ye at this time is to leave Thornfield and that dosher immediate like. If ye find yerself n' London Miss I would be happy to oblige ye a bed n' exchange fer a few hours of labour n' me shop or I could introduce ye to that barber I spoke of, Mr. Sweeney Todd. He is a respectable chap or if that does not work out Miss ye could get a few cats as companions. I find them to be most useful and abundant in companionship when necessary Miss.
It has been a pleasure te make yer acquaintance. I look forward to yer correspondence Miss.
Signed respectfully
Missus Eugenia Mooney
13A The Strand
Haha - excellent, but I think I'll pass on the cake!
I am glad I do inspire thee...in so many ways. Aye, and love him, I do, and shall, and always will. But I see the wisdom in what you say, albeit, I am afraid of thee and of the consequences of having my heart be as thine.
But all is not lost My Dear Miss Haversham.
The ratties loved the cake e'en more than he would've. ;0)
sound advice
I love you Miss Mimi.
Miss Mimi you are so very talented that i think I must vote for thee
You have my vote! :)
Ha! No wonder you're winning! :P I haven't read this book yet, but I will soon. The letter is excellent. Best wishes. :D
Only Perfect!
Oh I love this you are so clever. Whatever happened to letter writing you have a true gift my friend. I would love to sit and listen to you ideas someday you are such a creative soul. Good job. B
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