Elinor Brent-Dyer's Writing - Year 1928
Year: 1928
Elinor's age at time of publication: 32
Title(s): The Head Girl of the Chalet School
Links to other works in the same year:
Miss Carthew appears in both this and New House-Mistress
Some of the same music titles appear in this and Judy, e.g. Gathering Peascods
Apple-pie beds make an apperance in this and Judy the Guide
Links to other works in general:
Some of the Stuffer's comments about chaperoning, as well as those from the unnamed women during Grizel's journey from Schaffhausen, reflect the train journey in Carnation where there is a discussion on the same topic
During this era in her writing, EBD is making books with two distinct halves. Here we have two separate terms, as we did in Jo of, but even Princess seems like two books in one, and Heather Leaves School has a similar tone, shifting from holiday to school while Seven Scamps changes from home to Guernsey. Only in Rivals does EBD first make full use of the idea of the key narrative elements running from beginning to end.
The making of jig-saws gets a mention in Carnation
EBD's interest in Kipling gets another mention here (Janeways)
The comparison of Wanda's description at her betrothal party as "like a princess from Madame d'Aulnoy" is an idea that was also referenced in Gerry when the children are being read stories from the fairytale book of d'Aulnoy.
General Thoughts:
It's interesting to begin a book with a girl running - but not away, rather to something. Of course, it's a place she isn't meant to go and this shadow could be seen as the shadow that haunts a lot of Grizel's actions for the first half of this book. Her attempts to do well are the reason she has a run-in with a fellow prefect (another aspect that is not common in EBD's titles - her prefects are generally a pretty united body) and nearly cause her death. It is noteworthy that, unlike earlier books, here we have the major illness happening behind the scenes, allowing the focus to be on the perpetrator. This book is interesting in terms of the CS series because it adopts some of the other concepts EBD has introduced in the La Rochelle series, in particular the concept of fairy-folk and witchcraft.
* * *
Title(s): Judy the Guide
Links to other works in the same year:
Some of the same music titles appear in this and Judy, e.g. Gathering Peascods
Apple-pie beds make an apperance in this and Judy the Guide
Links to other works in general:
Judy being from Canada shows EBD's fondness for the country, which is later demonstrated by many other characters being sent there (CS series, Little Marie-Jose, etc.)
Judy's passion for history and her tendency to dream are similar to Joey Bettany in the beginning (School at)
A younger girl damaging the belongings of an older one is similar to the situation in Chalet Girl From Kenya
The make-up of Judy's family has parallels with that in Johnny Meets A Bear (older brother away from home a lot, caring older sister and three younger children, the youngest of whom get one scene and then not mentioned again)
Judy's Aunt Sylvia is similar in nature to Grandma (Gay from China)
EBD's introduction of Judy to the mysterious rituals of cubicles and dormitories is similar to the way it will be presented in later Chalet books
Matron's firmness of character is in the tradition of her best other Matrons, both Chalet and other series
Country dancing has already been introduced into the Chalet series and plays a part here too
As with the best of EBD's heroines, she struggles with maths (see Joey Bettany, La Rochelle characters, etc), although surprisingly she also isn't great with languages or music, at least to begin with
Continuing her references to Milton's work, Judy and others visit the cottage where he wrote Paradise Regained (Princess of the CS), which also has the advantage of placing St Ronan's (Judy's school) within five miles of Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamhire
The talk given by Miss Carthew about Sir Walter Raleigh shows EBD's interest in the era. Raleigh will be mentioned in CS and Jo and Lavender
Hilarity during a play as a result of misunderstandings is similar to the play in New CS. The cast having used precious items owned by others is similar to the half-time entertainment in Exploits.
Comments about Fenella's size are similar to the remarks aimed at Nancy Wilmot (New CS) and about Sophie Hamel
The term "doing sheep-dog" first appears here, although it has a rather different meaning (Head Girl of the CS, etc)
Guernsey gache appears (CS series)
EBD's passion for Guernsey is highlighted again (La Rochelle series, CS series)
Celebrating the Head's birthday is the same as the Chalet school, and it is amusing that the present Miss Wetherel receives is similar to the piece Joey mocks in School At
Having a mistress who can manage Juniors but is not good with older girls is repeated in Lintons
Accidents with stationery cupboards appear in the CS (School At, and Jo)
Dramatic games matches appear throughout EBD's works
General Thoughts:
This books shows us the beginning of EBD's affair with Canada, and we see a character being sent a long way from home. However as this book has so many strains of empire, she is, of course, going "home" to England for a proper education. (EBD's comments on Canadian education make for interesting reading.) Naturally, for one of EBD's schools, Judy settles in so promptly that she has little time for homesickness. It is, of course, possible to guess from the title that the key element of Judy's school career is guides, and there is a great deal of detail in the book about the various traditions and rules, as well as it being clear that one's behaviour being described as "unGuidelike" is the greatest insult imaginable (and causes a very dramatic rift between two girls that, of course, ends up involving half the school). Another feature of this book is that EBD brings in foreign character names - and includes footnotes explaining their pronunciation. This includes Thekla, a name familiar to all CS readers. The progression of events in the story may be quite dramatic, but it does reflect many real emotions, and even with an unexpectedly dramatic twist, the ending is typical for what one might expect of EBD.
* * *
Title(s): The New House-Mistress
Links to other works in the same year:
The introduction of the new titular character reflects EBD's introduction of Mademoiselle as replacement Head Mistress for Miss Bettany at the Chalet School (even if the latter has actually been in the role for one term already)
Miss Carthew appears in both this and Head Girl of the CS
Links to other works in general:
The idea of strikes comes up again (Gerry, Difficulties) but only as a joking mention
Another surprise announcement of an engagement, similar to Miss Catcheside (Difficulties). Attempts by the Prefects to get the girls to cheer up and not make Miss Lessing miserable have parallels with Juliet urging the same of the Chalet girls (Princess)
Winifred Chester being so easily brought to tears is similar to Simone Lecoutier (School At, Jo of, etc)
The fear of sentimentality rears its head again (Difficulties)
The rescue of Mollie from the tree is similar to Emerence (Kenya) and Jack (Jane)
Climbing the tree is the result of a dare, as in other books (Exploits, Theodora, Challenge, Janie Steps In)
A pillow-fight ends with a broken light-bulb (Eustacia) and a torn pillow (Adrienne)
EBD's love-affair with India begins here (Janie of La Rochelle, numerous CS books)
The girls who jump into the pool after their classmate are not allowed to be regarded as heroines (New CS)
More examples of highly-strung girls (pretty much every single title)
Performing a play outside of hours is similar to one in New CS
School having its own fire-escape slides is similar to Janeways
Barbara asking about her rescuer and being satisfied with half-truths is similar to Grizel asking about Joey (School At)
General Thoughts:
This much-maligned title by EBD (by me as much as anyone) does have several key elements to recommend it - strong central characters, several key exciting incidents that have a natural cause (tree-climbing and someone being knocked into a pool) which help to progress the development of the storyline, and the inclusion of events that show the school going on as usual. However there are some points that verge on the ludicrous - one girl threatened with expulsion for climbing a tree and getting stuck when such a thing wasn't even forbidden? A girl going out and dancing barefoot on the lawn in the middle of the night, for which she receives pretty much no punishment at all? The girl responsible for the pool accident is told off by the Head, by the Prefects and by pretty much everyone else in the school? One feels that the EBD of several years later would have written these incidents in a much more convincing manner. There are several storylines that are dropped - no repercussions for one character behaving in an unsportmanlike manner, and term moves along so quickly that we don't know if there are consequences for events such as the unexpected swim or the midnight dancing. And of course the exciting adventure in the middle of the book that links to the events of the final chapters, both of which stretch the long arm of coincidence until it begs for mercy. This book fails for two reasons - the fact that it is so short means events are given time to play out in a more realistic manner, and EBD's writing is not strong enough at this stage of her career to carry it off completely. Ironically if it had been one of her other schools, such as Janeways, Skelton Hall or the Chalet School, meaning that less attention needed to be paid to explaining the rules, regulations and traditions, it might have worked much better.
Elinor's age at time of publication: 32
Title(s): The Head Girl of the Chalet School
Links to other works in the same year:
Miss Carthew appears in both this and New House-Mistress
Some of the same music titles appear in this and Judy, e.g. Gathering Peascods
Apple-pie beds make an apperance in this and Judy the Guide
Links to other works in general:
Some of the Stuffer's comments about chaperoning, as well as those from the unnamed women during Grizel's journey from Schaffhausen, reflect the train journey in Carnation where there is a discussion on the same topic
During this era in her writing, EBD is making books with two distinct halves. Here we have two separate terms, as we did in Jo of, but even Princess seems like two books in one, and Heather Leaves School has a similar tone, shifting from holiday to school while Seven Scamps changes from home to Guernsey. Only in Rivals does EBD first make full use of the idea of the key narrative elements running from beginning to end.
The making of jig-saws gets a mention in Carnation
EBD's interest in Kipling gets another mention here (Janeways)
The comparison of Wanda's description at her betrothal party as "like a princess from Madame d'Aulnoy" is an idea that was also referenced in Gerry when the children are being read stories from the fairytale book of d'Aulnoy.
General Thoughts:
It's interesting to begin a book with a girl running - but not away, rather to something. Of course, it's a place she isn't meant to go and this shadow could be seen as the shadow that haunts a lot of Grizel's actions for the first half of this book. Her attempts to do well are the reason she has a run-in with a fellow prefect (another aspect that is not common in EBD's titles - her prefects are generally a pretty united body) and nearly cause her death. It is noteworthy that, unlike earlier books, here we have the major illness happening behind the scenes, allowing the focus to be on the perpetrator. This book is interesting in terms of the CS series because it adopts some of the other concepts EBD has introduced in the La Rochelle series, in particular the concept of fairy-folk and witchcraft.
* * *
Title(s): Judy the Guide
Links to other works in the same year:
Some of the same music titles appear in this and Judy, e.g. Gathering Peascods
Apple-pie beds make an apperance in this and Judy the Guide
Links to other works in general:
Judy being from Canada shows EBD's fondness for the country, which is later demonstrated by many other characters being sent there (CS series, Little Marie-Jose, etc.)
Judy's passion for history and her tendency to dream are similar to Joey Bettany in the beginning (School at)
A younger girl damaging the belongings of an older one is similar to the situation in Chalet Girl From Kenya
The make-up of Judy's family has parallels with that in Johnny Meets A Bear (older brother away from home a lot, caring older sister and three younger children, the youngest of whom get one scene and then not mentioned again)
Judy's Aunt Sylvia is similar in nature to Grandma (Gay from China)
EBD's introduction of Judy to the mysterious rituals of cubicles and dormitories is similar to the way it will be presented in later Chalet books
Matron's firmness of character is in the tradition of her best other Matrons, both Chalet and other series
Country dancing has already been introduced into the Chalet series and plays a part here too
As with the best of EBD's heroines, she struggles with maths (see Joey Bettany, La Rochelle characters, etc), although surprisingly she also isn't great with languages or music, at least to begin with
Continuing her references to Milton's work, Judy and others visit the cottage where he wrote Paradise Regained (Princess of the CS), which also has the advantage of placing St Ronan's (Judy's school) within five miles of Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamhire
The talk given by Miss Carthew about Sir Walter Raleigh shows EBD's interest in the era. Raleigh will be mentioned in CS and Jo and Lavender
Hilarity during a play as a result of misunderstandings is similar to the play in New CS. The cast having used precious items owned by others is similar to the half-time entertainment in Exploits.
Comments about Fenella's size are similar to the remarks aimed at Nancy Wilmot (New CS) and about Sophie Hamel
The term "doing sheep-dog" first appears here, although it has a rather different meaning (Head Girl of the CS, etc)
Guernsey gache appears (CS series)
EBD's passion for Guernsey is highlighted again (La Rochelle series, CS series)
Celebrating the Head's birthday is the same as the Chalet school, and it is amusing that the present Miss Wetherel receives is similar to the piece Joey mocks in School At
Having a mistress who can manage Juniors but is not good with older girls is repeated in Lintons
Accidents with stationery cupboards appear in the CS (School At, and Jo)
Dramatic games matches appear throughout EBD's works
General Thoughts:
This books shows us the beginning of EBD's affair with Canada, and we see a character being sent a long way from home. However as this book has so many strains of empire, she is, of course, going "home" to England for a proper education. (EBD's comments on Canadian education make for interesting reading.) Naturally, for one of EBD's schools, Judy settles in so promptly that she has little time for homesickness. It is, of course, possible to guess from the title that the key element of Judy's school career is guides, and there is a great deal of detail in the book about the various traditions and rules, as well as it being clear that one's behaviour being described as "unGuidelike" is the greatest insult imaginable (and causes a very dramatic rift between two girls that, of course, ends up involving half the school). Another feature of this book is that EBD brings in foreign character names - and includes footnotes explaining their pronunciation. This includes Thekla, a name familiar to all CS readers. The progression of events in the story may be quite dramatic, but it does reflect many real emotions, and even with an unexpectedly dramatic twist, the ending is typical for what one might expect of EBD.
* * *
Title(s): The New House-Mistress
Links to other works in the same year:
The introduction of the new titular character reflects EBD's introduction of Mademoiselle as replacement Head Mistress for Miss Bettany at the Chalet School (even if the latter has actually been in the role for one term already)
Miss Carthew appears in both this and Head Girl of the CS
Links to other works in general:
The idea of strikes comes up again (Gerry, Difficulties) but only as a joking mention
Another surprise announcement of an engagement, similar to Miss Catcheside (Difficulties). Attempts by the Prefects to get the girls to cheer up and not make Miss Lessing miserable have parallels with Juliet urging the same of the Chalet girls (Princess)
Winifred Chester being so easily brought to tears is similar to Simone Lecoutier (School At, Jo of, etc)
The fear of sentimentality rears its head again (Difficulties)
The rescue of Mollie from the tree is similar to Emerence (Kenya) and Jack (Jane)
Climbing the tree is the result of a dare, as in other books (Exploits, Theodora, Challenge, Janie Steps In)
A pillow-fight ends with a broken light-bulb (Eustacia) and a torn pillow (Adrienne)
EBD's love-affair with India begins here (Janie of La Rochelle, numerous CS books)
The girls who jump into the pool after their classmate are not allowed to be regarded as heroines (New CS)
More examples of highly-strung girls (pretty much every single title)
Performing a play outside of hours is similar to one in New CS
School having its own fire-escape slides is similar to Janeways
Barbara asking about her rescuer and being satisfied with half-truths is similar to Grizel asking about Joey (School At)
General Thoughts:
This much-maligned title by EBD (by me as much as anyone) does have several key elements to recommend it - strong central characters, several key exciting incidents that have a natural cause (tree-climbing and someone being knocked into a pool) which help to progress the development of the storyline, and the inclusion of events that show the school going on as usual. However there are some points that verge on the ludicrous - one girl threatened with expulsion for climbing a tree and getting stuck when such a thing wasn't even forbidden? A girl going out and dancing barefoot on the lawn in the middle of the night, for which she receives pretty much no punishment at all? The girl responsible for the pool accident is told off by the Head, by the Prefects and by pretty much everyone else in the school? One feels that the EBD of several years later would have written these incidents in a much more convincing manner. There are several storylines that are dropped - no repercussions for one character behaving in an unsportmanlike manner, and term moves along so quickly that we don't know if there are consequences for events such as the unexpected swim or the midnight dancing. And of course the exciting adventure in the middle of the book that links to the events of the final chapters, both of which stretch the long arm of coincidence until it begs for mercy. This book fails for two reasons - the fact that it is so short means events are given time to play out in a more realistic manner, and EBD's writing is not strong enough at this stage of her career to carry it off completely. Ironically if it had been one of her other schools, such as Janeways, Skelton Hall or the Chalet School, meaning that less attention needed to be paid to explaining the rules, regulations and traditions, it might have worked much better.