Yikes. I feel that Pepper over-reacted in this one. Just doesn't feel in character for her. But still, it's great writing and a very interesting vision.
I think it's possible that Pepper did overreact, but I would also argue that it is in character for her.
In the second movie, Pepper is on the verge of leaving Tony's birthday party when he starts behaving like an ass (it's only because Rhodey comes in that she ends up staying). She also shuts Tony down cold during his big emotional declaration, even though it's pretty obvious where he's going with it. And at the end of the film, she quits her job as CEO in response to "not being able to handle the stress." I feel as though she does exhibit a very strong impulse to cut-and-run as a self-defense mechanism. This is totally reasonable, because her comment to Tony in the first film, "You're all I have, too," suggests that Pepper has had look out for her own interests in the past, because she hasn't had anyone to do it for her. (I explored these aspects of her personality in greater depth in a short piece I wrote called "Green"In first movie, Pepper quits (even though she is talked out of it) rather than watch Tony continue on a self-
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Yeah, I meant the scene with comment (as well as his not following up to apologize or have a discussion) to be synecdochic, in the way that most of the snatches of dialogue in the previous stories have been. And it's not just about Tony's insecurities in the relationship--Pepper is bound to have a few of her own.
I also don't think that she changed her name and moved and disappeared all in one day. I see it as being a process that happened gradually, over several months. I also think that if you're someone whose self-preservation strategy is to put up walls and create distance, that wanting to do what's best for your child might intensify this behaviour, rather than mitigate it.
I know I'm not going to convince you that it was in character, and that's okay. I just want to make it clear (to anyone who might be reading this) that I've put a lot of thought into these pieces and specifically into their progression and the various aspects of both characters that they explore. :)
Oh I can tell you that you've put a lot of thought into this. I just like offering my opinion (an opinion of one of your readers) since I know you won't take it personally (since that's not the point). It's just another way of thinking.
But I can definitely see what you mean and what leads to this. Like I said, it's a really well written interpretation of a character we both clearly love and think a lot about. :)
I look forward to the next two chapters! Also, I'll be reading Green sometime tonight, too. ;) I've been so lacking in fanficiton lately. :(
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In the second movie, Pepper is on the verge of leaving Tony's birthday party when he starts behaving like an ass (it's only because Rhodey comes in that she ends up staying). She also shuts Tony down cold during his big emotional declaration, even though it's pretty obvious where he's going with it. And at the end of the film, she quits her job as CEO in response to "not being able to handle the stress." I feel as though she does exhibit a very strong impulse to cut-and-run as a self-defense mechanism. This is totally reasonable, because her comment to Tony in the first film, "You're all I have, too," suggests that Pepper has had look out for her own interests in the past, because she hasn't had anyone to do it for her. (I explored these aspects of her personality in greater depth in a short piece I wrote called "Green"In first movie, Pepper quits (even though she is talked out of it) rather than watch Tony continue on a self- ( ... )
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I also don't think that she changed her name and moved and disappeared all in one day. I see it as being a process that happened gradually, over several months. I also think that if you're someone whose self-preservation strategy is to put up walls and create distance, that wanting to do what's best for your child might intensify this behaviour, rather than mitigate it.
I know I'm not going to convince you that it was in character, and that's okay. I just want to make it clear (to anyone who might be reading this) that I've put a lot of thought into these pieces and specifically into their progression and the various aspects of both characters that they explore. :)
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But I can definitely see what you mean and what leads to this. Like I said, it's a really well written interpretation of a character we both clearly love and think a lot about. :)
I look forward to the next two chapters! Also, I'll be reading Green sometime tonight, too. ;) I've been so lacking in fanficiton lately. :(
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