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Re: Domestics

From: Ralf Tauchmann <ralf.tauchmann~at~t-online.de>
Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2000 10:15:12 +0200
To: jvf~at~math.technion.ac.il

Ralf Tauchmann schrieb:
> To take Robur as an example, the rather cynical description of Frycollin
> as a ridiculous person and his punishment are cruel, and I regret very much
> this rigid bourgeois view. The same is true for the description of Soun
> (the domestic of Kin-Fo in "Tribulations d'un Chinois en Chine") and the
> progressive cutting of his pigtail...

Dear fellow Vernians,

Sorry for quoting myself. But I'd just like to add, for the sake of correction
and precision, that Verne's domestics must of course be seen as theatre types of
character too, so I should like to delete the term "cynical". But whereas
Conseil (20000 Leagues) and Passepartout (80 Days) are marvellous "supporting
actors" deeply integrated in the plots, Frycollin and Soun are just
laughing-stock. So it seems more a question of plotting skill (if I can say so)
and not primarily of attitude. This actually lessens the quality (rating) of
Robur - in terms of literature.

I wish all of you a good week

Ralf Tauchmann
Received on Mon 10 Jul 2000 - 11:16:01 IDT

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