Hello fellow readers!
I'm only on Chapter Five right now, but I want to ask what you all think about Ryder's account of his first long stay at Brideshead. I was particularly drawn to his descriptions of the architecture and art of Brideshead. Maybe I've been neglectful as a reader, but didn't it seem to you that Brideshead Castle is difficult to visualize in the mind because of all the diverse styles and periods that its architecture and interior incorporate? The Marchmain family also reflects a diversity of personalities and spiritualities. I think it's important to note that Ryder is studying History at Oxford. Even though Ryder seems completely immersed with Sebastian in the present, Waugh seems to make a connection between Ryder's observations to a history that is rich and complex although it is obscure to him, and I don't think that history is limited to that of Sebastian's family. And I think it's also important to take into account that this part of the narrative is a flashback, in which Ryder is remembering his own history. I guess I could put it more simply by saying that maybe history is an important motif/theme. What is Waugh trying to show about the relationship an individual should have to history, whether it is personal or collective?
While I don't think this is the major theme in the novel (because, as O'Connor once sort-of said, it wouldn't be a very good novel if you could state the theme in one sentence) I just think this one important aspect to consider as we read.
A good friend once told me (actually, she told me quite often) that she has to think about something for three weeks before coming to any conclusions. I don't have any real conclusions about these observations. I was just curious what kind of thoughts/reflections these scenes might have evoked in you all.
Cheers!
Marta
I overlooked that detail, Marta! I'm glad you pointed it out! I'm also having a difficult time imagining the house, but I like his attention to its artistic qualities. I think it points somewhat to Ryder, who may not study art professionally, is an artist (his sketches are referenced a few times in Chapter 2). His studies in history also may contribute to these observations.
ReplyDelete(Marta, you are definitely well-read. Don't even try to deny it any longer.) I didn't see what you were saying about the house at first, but after Chapter IV it all made sense. Your question: I don't know. I believe the obvious answer would be that Waugh is trying to say an individual should be at least aware of history, but this doesn't cover it by a long shot. Then too, I don't know if you read the Preface, but Waugh says there that he was getting nostalgic for the old country estates and so piled it on pretty thick. He seems to have been of the opinion that they would disappear, and wanted to have a glowing description to pass on to posterity. This may have something to do with what you noticed.
ReplyDelete-EM
I really like what you have to say about the estate. Something that could be added, I think, is that the work is called "Brideshead Revisited" when it is really Ryder's past revisited; the house only provides the occasion for telling his story. It seems to me that the estate is a metaphor for Ryder's past.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Charles's hat from Madame Bovary came to mind when you said that you had a hard time picturing Brideshead, Marta. ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't have your preface, Eddie. That bit about old estates sounds interesting. I sympathize with the man.