TMC Ch 10: Jack and Stephen

[tootsiemuppet]

Ch 10 discussion post for Jack and Stephen.

"Give it here," said Jack. He grasped the magazine, sloped the page to the light and pored over it intently.  "At Ashgrove Cottage, Chilton Admiral, in Hants, the lady of Captain Aubrey, of the Boadicea, of a son.  Well, I'll be damned. God bless me. Lord, Lord . . . upon my word and honour . . . I'll be

Comments

[esteven]

That was a charming sequence and I can never help smiling (though I know it is not politically correct. *g*)

Still, Thomas P seems to be of Jack's opinion. I have to grin every time I come across his Girls are very well, in course, but they are not quite the same; you could not wish them about all the time

[esteven]

One may blame Jack for a lot of things, including his chauvinistic dismissal of his girls, but it is really not his fault that Clonfert never ceased to compare himself to Jack. At sea Jack simply is larger than life and a brilliant commander, a man who also dislikes speaking badly of his fellow officers

Is Stephen speaking about himself...

[esteven]

He will not lift the cover; and he sees that very soon his own animal functions will not interest him either...Have you seen cases of this sort in your practice?"
"Certainly I have. And they are not so rare, neither, even in men that are kept busy."
"What is the prognosis? How do you see the nature of the malady?"
..."As to the nature, why, I believe he perceives the void that has always surrounded him, and in doing so he falls straight into a pit... Occasionally he may be pulled out by his prick."
"You mean he may remain capable of love?"
"As between men and women I use the term lust: but call it what you like: desire, a burning desire for some slut may answer, if only he burns hard enough. In the early stages, however," said McAdam, "he may tide himself over with opium, for a while."

The final remark seems to point that way, and it also shows that McAdam could be so much more perceptive than usually given credit for.

Re: Is Stephen speaking about himself...

[ozfille]

Oh most definitely, I think Stephen at the end of this campaign was at his lowest. Even with his great success in assisting the navy and military to achieve a relatively bloodless victory over the local French forces and their militia, Stephen is dissatisfied with life, sees that the only thing motivating him is his hatred of Napoleon. Hardly a satisfying reason for continuing existence.

Re: Is Stephen speaking about himself...

[esteven]

You have a point there. Stephen is at an ebb and no longer knows how to pull himself out of it. At least he is still playing his cello. I would get very worried if he even stopped that.

Re: Is Stephen speaking about himself...

[ozfille]

Yes but his mood rapidly goes down hill once Clonfert kills himself. Though Stephen could not hold Clonfert in the same degree of respect as he does Jack as a commander, I believe he appreciated the more gentle elements of his nature and the manner of his death truly appalled Stephen and perhaps at least pointed too directly at his own despair. He could not celebrate the victory after that, even just to be sociable and fit in with the Jack and the other officers and men.

[esteven]

There are some sequences which simply make me smile, because they show again what a wonderfully old married couple they are. :D

FRom:
...and Stephen, catching his eye, said, "Should you like some encouragement, joy?"

and

"I am delighted to hear it, Stephen: thank you very much," said Jack. He returned to his letter, and Stephen to his 'cello.

to my favourite
Stephen," he called, over the growling 'cello, "how do you spell chimaera?"
"Many people start with ch,I believe. Have you told her about my stink-pot petrel?"
"Is not stink-pot a hellish low expression for a letter, Stephen?"
"Bless you, my dear, a mother that tends her own babies will not boggle at stink-pot. But you may put thalassodrome, if you find it more genteel."
The pen scratched on; the "cello sang deep;

*smiles in a warm and fuzzy way*

[sidlj]

That was a wonderful passage, very domestic, very adorable.

And Jack giving Stephen a furtive glance because he knows he's writing down Top Sekrit stuff about the upcoming battle. *g*

[esteven]

At least Jack reasons that Sophie will only see it after the action, and so it does no longer matter. She won't be seeing that mountain of a letter for several weeks, if not months.

Should you like some encouragement, joy? Then Stephen proceeds to tell Jack some news that may not be interesting to Sophie (so Jack will not write about it), but it gives his friend a new train of thought so Jack can continue.

[mylodon]

I'm so proud of Jack - in his letter to Sophie he gets two turns of phrase absolutely right! (Make hay while the sun shines, strike while the iron is hot...)

[dreamwaffles]

For once he did not met his mixaphors. -hearts him-

I would comment more but it's finals time and my head hurts like whoa. Next week, guys, next week! -goes to fall over and die-

[esteven]

I love him when he tries to be witty.:D He tried too, with the bathwater...

I'll keep my fingers crossed for your finals. You'll do well, I am certain!

*looks forward to seeing you at Desolation Island*

[mylodon]

Hope the finals go really well!