July 12, 2011
Pages 131- 150
As I started reading this chapter, I read about the dinner table scene where everyone is discussing the bruises and scratches on Lola's arm. Lola tells Briony it was her brothers that did it, but i think she's lying. I think Paul Marshall raped her. From his attitude and her denying everything and claiming she doesn't know how it happened make my claim seem factual. My question is though: Why doesn't she tell anyone? I don't think it's because she's scared of him. I think it is because she secretly likes him and liked the moment they had even though it was against her will, but how can you like someone so cruel that hurts you physically. And he didn't just bruise her physically, but mentally too. This just adds to the conflict of the novel and create a more awkward dinner table scene. It seems as though everything is going bad at one moment of the story.
I think it is a combination of everything. Paul had money so he could help Lola's family out. Also during this time period, men were in charge and women did not have a lot of say. Men were socially ranked higher than women. Sexual assault was pushed back in peoples minds, and it wasn't a big issue of the time. Paul also had a nice reputation, alot of people liked him and Lola thought he was a nice man. All of these things contributed to Paul's and Lola's relationship.
So you're already at the part where the girl gets raped by that old geezer? I don't want to ruin it for you, but thats a good inference about how Lola secretly likes him. ;)
ReplyDeleteCamilla is your biggest fan I see :) So, if Paul takes her forcibly and it's not being discussed is it a time period issue? The author presenting it as a thing a kin to secretly liking him--isn't that a bit ludicrous? Is it a thing of reputation, status, what is it?
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