The History Book Club discussion

Hello Everyone,

For the week of May 16th - May 22nd, we are reading STAYING ON - Chapters Thirteen and Fourteen (pg. 172-197)~ Staying On, (pg. 172-197)

The week's reading assignment is:

Week Five- May 16th - May 22nd ~ Chapters Thirteen and Fourteen (pg. 172-197)

We will open up a thread for each week's reading. Please make sure to post in the particular thread dedicated to those specific chapters and page numbers to avoid spoilers. We will also open up supplemental threads as we did for other spotlighted books.

This book was kicked off on April 4th.

We look forward to your participation. Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other noted on line booksellers do have copies of the book and shipment can be expedited. The book can also be obtained easily at your local library, local bookstore or on your Kindle. Make sure to pre-order now if you haven't already. This weekly thread will be opened up on April 4th.

There is no rush and we are thrilled to have you join us. It is never too late to get started and/or to post.

Jill will be leading this discussion and back-up will be Bentley.

Welcome,

~Bentley

TO ALWAYS SEE ALL WEEKS' THREADS SELECT VIEW ALL

by Paul Scott

REMEMBER NO SPOILERS ON THE WEEKLY NON SPOILER THREADS - ON EACH WEEKLY NON SPOILER THREAD - WE ONLY DISCUSS THE PAGES ASSIGNED OR THE PAGES WHICH WERE COVERED IN PREVIOUS WEEKS. IF YOU GO AHEAD OR WANT TO ENGAGE IN MORE EXPANSIVE DISCUSSION - POST THOSE COMMENTS IN ONE OF THE SPOILER THREADS. THESE CHAPTERS HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION SO WHEN IN DOUBT CHECK WITH THE CHAPTER OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY TO RECALL WHETHER YOUR COMMENTS ARE ASSIGNMENT SPECIFIC. EXAMPLES OF SPOILER THREADS ARE THE GLOSSARY, THE BIBLIOGRAPHY, THE INTRODUCTION AND THE BOOK AS A WHOLE THREADS.

Notes:

It is always a tremendous help when you quote specifically from the book itself and reference the chapter and page numbers when responding. The text itself helps folks know what you are referencing and makes things clear.

Citations:

If an author or book is mentioned other than the book and author being discussed, citations must be included according to our guidelines. Also, when citing other sources, please provide credit where credit is due and/or the link. There is no need to re-cite the author and the book we are discussing however.

If you need help - here is a thread called the Mechanics of the Board which will show you how to cite books:

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Introduction Thread:

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Table of Contents and Syllabus

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Glossary

Remember there is a glossary thread where ancillary information is placed by the moderator. This is also a thread where additional information can be placed by the group members regarding the subject matter being discussed.

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Bibliography

There is a Bibliography where books cited in the text are posted with proper citations and reviews. We also post the books that the author used in his research or in his notes. Please also feel free to add to the Bibliography thread any related books, etc with proper citations. No self promotion, please.

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Book as a Whole and Final Thoughts - SPOILER THREAD

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by Paul Scott

Chapter Summaries and Overview

1 - Chapter Thirteen

As Lucy walks home, she begins to regret inviting Susy. When Lucy gets home, she finds Tusker sitting on the veranda. She is looking forward to going to Smith's for dinner, but Tusker announces that they are not going to Smith's anymore nor are they getting food from Smith's. They will do their own cooking. They have an argument and she throws a pan at Tusker. At that moment, Tusker stalks in. Later while Lucy is eating, Mrs. Bhoolabhoy sails through the dining room. When Lucy asks her about reserving a room for David Turner, Mrs. Bhoolabhoy responds by asking about the shears that need to be returned. Lucy is confused until Mrs. Bhoolabhoy references the use of gardening equipment by Lucy's mali and then states Tusker was even less help as he did not acknowledge that he and Lucy had a mali. Lucy realizes Tusker had been mad about the confrontation with Mrs. Bhoolabhoy and not about David Turner.

2 - Chapter Fourteen

Lucy returns from dinner to find that Tusker is out somewhere. She and Ibrahim discuss what they should prepare for dinner the next day when Susy and Father Sebastian are expected. Lucy does not feel well and Ibrahim helps her to bed for a nap. She does remember to ask Ibrahim to make sure the shears are returned to Mrs. Bhoolabhoy, and comments that she thinks Joseph left them at the churchyard.

When Lucy wakes up later, Tusker has come in and then gone out for dinner. He has left Lucy a note, which Ibrahim gives her. On the outside, Tusker invites her to join him at the club but Lucy decides to stay home and read the letter. Once Ibrahim has left, Lucy settles in with her tea, puts old records on to dance to, and re-reads the letter.

Lucy is still worried about the finances, but amazed by the letter. She goes to sleep with it under her pillow.

Thanks, Teri, for all your hard work on this book while I was on bereavement leave. It is appreciated.

It appears that Mrs. B. is trying anything and everything to get rid of the Smalleys.The incident with the shears is just one more example In his poor health, Tusker is truly falling apart and taking out his anger on his wife. Although Mrs. Boo is a total virago, Tusker seems to be overreacting to the situation. Do you agree?

Lucy's bigotry is more deep seated than I realized, although I shouldn't be surprised since she was once of the "ruling class. But her musings while walking home reveal more than I expected.....the "touch of the tar brush" is so similar to the ideas and attitudes of the United States at one time. Do you think the British viewed the Indians in the same manner as were the African Americans prior to integration ?

I am not sure Jill - I think they had a more formal relationship and I do not think that the views were the same. I fear that the US ones were somewhat more primitive if that is possible. I do think the British viewed the Indians as children in a way or that they were protecting them and the country (of course while taking advantage) but I digress. I think the US attitudes especially in the South were far more sinister and deplorable - I know - embarrassing.

The British attitude of the "white mans' burden" did have a bit of a different basic focus.......taking care of the indigenous people instead of enslaving them. But the underlying emotions (fear, hatred, ignorance????) were much the same. Indians were "the Other", therefore to be avoided in a personal relationship.

Yes possibly. I think that many Indians missed the British and of course there were many who did not.

I have to see the movie made of this book.

The casting is perfect, reuniting Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson from the British classic Brief Encounter. That alone is enough for the movie buff to want to watch the film. I have not seen it either but with the great story and the great casting, it must be good!

Yes, I have to get ahold of it somehow