Rowan
I have to admit that Rowan is one of my favourite AF characters. At first blush she seems to be competent, mature, self-sacrificing only when it is necessary. But AF's characters are never as simple as they appear.
So I'm opening this up to a discussion of what are Rowan's weaknesses or blind spots?
While her decision to run Trennels to spare her father's/Giles's naval career can be seen as heroic (a word Rowan would never apply to herself, except wryly), could it be that it was a handy way out of having to make a career decision? After all, she says that she wanted to be an architect, but can't draw. If Cousin Jon hadn't been killed she would have gone back to do her Sixth Form year, as Head Girl - and then what? So she jumps at the chance, rather than have to face some very difficult soul-searching.
So I'm opening this up to a discussion of what are Rowan's weaknesses or blind spots?
While her decision to run Trennels to spare her father's/Giles's naval career can be seen as heroic (a word Rowan would never apply to herself, except wryly), could it be that it was a handy way out of having to make a career decision? After all, she says that she wanted to be an architect, but can't draw. If Cousin Jon hadn't been killed she would have gone back to do her Sixth Form year, as Head Girl - and then what? So she jumps at the chance, rather than have to face some very difficult soul-searching.