Cricket Term, chapters 10-12

[coughingbear]

The final section of the book - the Play, the Match, and the End. Just about in time, but my apologies that it's so late; long day at work and trouble with laptop.

Comments

Re: Val on demos

[sprog_63]

I really like this characterisation of Val: the link with Ann is something I'd not seen before and just rings true for me. Val, like Cathy, is a character who suddenly becomes more real in these chapters. But for me, it doesn't preclude her carrying a banner.

If Val is well described as "a bit earnest and a wee bit pompous" (and I think it is a lovely description of her), then that seems a perfectly natural pairing with going on demos. Some on any demo will be passionate and furious and/or deeply knowledgeable about the issue; others simply along for the ride: but equally on many demos there is a solid phalanx of the earnest and mildly pompous. Val will be in good company. The 1972 Aldermaston March was not a particularly riotous affair apparently, and that would have been a reference point for them (book published in '74).

There is the going against authority bit, but this is presumably enhanced by being Head Girl: free of that, I reckon Val may well go on an organised march for a good cause "according to her lights". I think they are just trying to make her look forwards not back.

Re: Val on demos

[ext_195770]

Ah! I've just pictured Val meeting up with a charmingly earnest young philosophy PhD from King's on a CND march ("Our opponents paint us as anti-science! But this is a perversion of scientific ideals!" - not the snappiest of chants, but heart-felt) and being blissfully happy envelope-stuffing by his side forever more....