Yes, there is something odd about the emphasis on nicknames, you are right. This is the one where Jen's Rosemary renames Hermione isn't it? It's a sign of acceptance into the Abbey community of course, but I wonder if it's more than that - something about ownership or renaming.
You're right too that Damaris is a pain in the neck and the marriage-ballet thing feels artificial even for the time. And is undermined by a late mention that she could continue choreographing (or "making up dances" as the book tweely has it) after her marriage.
Re: Nicknamesfeather_ghyllAugust 17 2014, 19:55:20 UTC
It's just that there's an abundance of nicknames. Characters are introduced by three or more names.
Yes, Rosemary shortens Hermione to Myonie. I checked - it's on the first day of school. Rosemary decides Hermione is too long for daily use, probably influenced by knowing so many people who have nicknames. Myonie is apparently called Hermy at home, which Rosemary discards, bless. Shortly after that, it's revealed that Hermione is Hermione Rose (after Rosamund) and thus becomes Myonie Rose, following the pattern of using both names that occurs in the series and emphasising the recurring Rose motif.
I wonder if it's more than that - something about ownership or renaming.This is really interesting, and my feeling is that it would be worth mapping out all the nicknames in the series and perhaps grouping them. There's also the question of who names who. It is about accepting the character into the inner circle. Queens are obviously known by their (self-chosen) flower/colour title
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You're right too that Damaris is a pain in the neck and the marriage-ballet thing feels artificial even for the time. And is undermined by a late mention that she could continue choreographing (or "making up dances" as the book tweely has it) after her marriage.
The cats are good though.
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Yes, Rosemary shortens Hermione to Myonie. I checked - it's on the first day of school. Rosemary decides Hermione is too long for daily use, probably influenced by knowing so many people who have nicknames. Myonie is apparently called Hermy at home, which Rosemary discards, bless. Shortly after that, it's revealed that Hermione is Hermione Rose (after Rosamund) and thus becomes Myonie Rose, following the pattern of using both names that occurs in the series and emphasising the recurring Rose motif.
I wonder if it's more than that - something about ownership or renaming.This is really interesting, and my feeling is that it would be worth mapping out all the nicknames in the series and perhaps grouping them. There's also the question of who names who. It is about accepting the character into the inner circle. Queens are obviously known by their (self-chosen) flower/colour title ( ... )
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