Comments

Posted by andijeane

Did you notice that the Visount realized that Claudia was in love with someone else, but he still pursued her? Do you think that he's just trying to figure her out, or is he serious? Relationships were contemplated with such worldly thinking then - does he want her money?

I have to say that I am feeling a little sorry for Claudia. She is forcing herself to choose between true happiness and the outside appearance of happiness. She must want a titled husband. She is so rich that she probably isn't after money. She has always made such a big deal about social position in relationships. Does she really think that marrying someone with a title is going to make her happy? I wonder what "happiness" means to her?

I felt sorry for Ishmael too. But even after observing Claudia and the Viscount, some of his first thoughts are about her when he decides to test for the Washington Bar. Do you think he is still sure that she won't marry someone she doesn't love? I'm surprised that he isn't doing more to overcome his feelings. He must still be blinded to her self-centeredness and self-serving ways.

I was so glad that Ishmael decided to start his career off with Godly integrity. That whole section would be great to read to our boys. Southworth did a great job showing how tempted Ishmael was to take the brief, especially believing that it might help him win Claudia sooner.

Actually, this chapter seems to be set up in direct contrast with the previous chapters about Claudia. Claudia makes a successful entrance into society, makes a "conquest," and is still unhappy and an emotional wreck inside. She is definitely achieving outward worldly success. Ishmael succeeds in becoming a member of the Washington Bar, undergoes temptation to make a different kind of conquest by taking the brief, and chooses righteousness over worldly success.

~Andrea

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Posted by thisworldisnotmyhome

The glitz and glamour surrounding Claudia was fun to watch, although a bit too superficial for me. It was a day, it seemed, meant 'just for her'-just feeding into her superficial,selfish ways. I'm hoping to see Claudia grow up a little, it is sad to see how unhappy she will be on the inside while trying to pretend to be happy on the outside.

Yay for Ishmael for passing the bar! And his first case a noble one-did we expect anything less from him? I do like how Southworth shows us the temptation he goes through-it makes Ishmael seem more real-like he has temptations too-he doesn't just choose the right thing without a thought.

I would have to say my FAVORITE part in these chapters is when Ishmael was talking to the teacher-wife. The little girls in her class were so protective of her. It struck me as funny when they were arguing who would approach the 'mean man' and tell him to leave. Finally one of the girls musters up enough courage to go talk to him. I can just imagine her little face, all stern-telling Ishmael to leave their teacher alone. Ishmael with all his kindness, just simply tells her that he is there to help her teacher.

Now imagine her innocent little face when she goes back to the others, and announces, (I imagine with a shrug) 'He's good!" LOL....seems like this little girl is a good judge of character!

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Posted by hsbliteraryclub

andijeane - I really liked your thoughts about the contrasting chapters. I had not thought about it that way.

At this point we don't know much about the viscount. It would not seem that someone who was titled like that would need the money, but title didn't always equate to money. Sometimes there was a lot of pretense! I am not sure what to think about the viscount, but Claudia's interest in him seems to be for name only. It is *really* hard to imagine giving one's whole life/self/fortune to a man one didn't love. I sure couldn't do it!

thisworldisnotmyhome - "I'm hoping to see Claudia grow up a little, it is sad to see how unhappy she will be on the inside while trying to pretend to be happy on the outside."

I agree on both counts. I am not sure we can expect her to grow up if she is only after title. I think she loves Ishmael in her condescending manner. Is it even possible for her to stop loving herself long enough to see what she may miss?

Your thought about her being unhappy struck me. I wonder if she thinks she will be happy? Does she really believe that? It made me a little sad for her too. Selfishness usually leads to sadness. I hope it will not for her.

Thanks for participating, ladies!

Warmly,
Kate

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Posted by drewsfamilytx

Just reading about how Ishmael and Bee spend their days-- every minute with purpose-- that is how *I* need to be! It has been quite convicting. I do hope that I can be a real life example of hard work, dedication and integrity for my children!

Marsha

PS Yes, I've got Self-Raised on my nightstand!

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Posted by Jo

I am still catching up on the reading but had a thought about Kate's comment regarding Claudia's selfishness. Kate, you said that you hope Claudia's selfishness doesn't lead to sadness which often happens. However, when a behavior has a negative consequence we are prompted to change. If she becomes unhappy from her selfishness, then she may grow to become unselfish. That is what I am hoping and waiting to see. I hope to see Claudia desire Christ and become more Christlike. No one is beyond redemption, as the Apostle Paul testifies.

By the way, even though I am terribly behind, I am enjoying this book and this club a lot. Thank you for your work, Jen and Kate. Thank you, too, for your encouragement as homeschool moms.

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Posted by BlessingsFromAbove

Well, I am back for a post! I’m not sure what happened to me—I was ahead in the book, then somehow, I got rather behind. Now, I am even-steven!

Sorry to hear about your kitty, Kate. She certainly was a pretty, little thing!

I really liked Kate’s comment of today’s “entrance into society”—the prom! My friend’s 16 year-old son just went to the prom. It was a rather odd thing to watch—everyone making such a big deal of these young kids going to the prom. I never thought of comparing it to the formal type of coming-out event of Claudia’s, but they certainly do have their similarities!

I truly love Bee’s character. In the beginning of this book, I thought Ishmael’s character was too good to be true, and his decisions often got on my nerves. However, I find Bee to be totally believable. I am trying to train my children to put their siblings’ needs above their own, which is what Bee always does. I would love my daughters to be as caring as she is!

I am also impressed with how Ishmael was able to stand up for what he truly believed was right and took on the case of the teacher-wife. I know he always stood up for what he believed—finding Mr. Middleton’s wallet and not taking the reward, etc. However, this time it just struck me as so real! I was also impressed that he could hold his own in explaining his decision to Judge Merlin, which certainly wasn’t easy.

Now, I need to admit that I am a little confused about the comments regarding Claudia. There has been a lot of reference to her state of “unhappiness.” Have I missed something? While I think Southworth did an excellent job describing Ishmael’s emotional struggle with Claudia, I can’t remember reading any details about Claudia’s struggle with having real, true feelings of love for Ishmael. I know that she was truly grateful for him saving her from the horse accident, but beyond that, from what I have read, it seems to me that she is more aggravated than anything that Ishmael has been placed in her life. She just doesn’t want to admit that he could actually become a respectable man in life. Could someone clue me in—what did I miss that makes everyone think that Claudia is fighting this deep emotional struggle regarding Ishmael?

And regarding the comments of selfish behavior leading to unhappiness, I totally agree with Jo’s comment that only if “a behavior has a negative consequence we are prompted to change.” From my experience in dealing with selfish people, I have come to the conclusion that they know what they are doing is selfish, they just don’t care.

Michele

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Posted by thisworldisnotmyhome

I don't think Claudia realizes that her 'happiness' that she has is artificial, or superficial, at this point. I think she truly believes all these 'things' in her life will bring her true happiness. Although the moeny and social standings may bring her fleeting moments of happiness, none of this will bring her true joy-which is what Ishmael has. No matter what the situation, Ishmael always had joy-which is different from happiness. Happiness is an emotion, based on the situation, joy is a choice, no matter the situation.

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Posted by hsbliteraryclub

BlessingsFromAbove - You asked about why we think Claudia has feelings for Ishmael. When he was recovering from his illness she could not "tear herself away" and her behavior was very much like that of a person who was in love with him. Even though she would not admit it, neither did she take herself away when she knew she really should have. She was encouraging his feelings while indulging her own. Southworth wrote something like that though I don't have the exact quote. Reuben also noticed her feelings towards Ishmael and commented on them to Hannah. I think that even Ishmael thinks she has feelings for him by a "thought" he has in the book--that he would eventually win her or something along those lines.

That she burst into tears upon leaving him was also pretty telling. She was trying her best to hide her real feelings because he was so below her (in her eyes).

thisworldisnotmyhome - "Happiness is an emotion, based on the situation, joy is a choice, no matter the situation." Absolutely! Great comments on Claudia's state of mind. I think you are right that "I think she truly believes all these 'things' in her life will bring her true happiness." I could not agree more. How do you think Southworth will deal with that?

Thanks, ladies!
Warmly,
Kate

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Posted by kympossible

How interesting that the Viscount noted the resemblance between Ishmael and Mr Brudenell! Vincent seems like an interesting character and it will be interesting to see how he features in the rest of the story.

Who else was horrified by the way the law treated mothers? I mean, I knew that that's basically the way it was, but to read it in this setting really hit me as to how unjust it really was. Good for Ishmael in refusing the husband's case and taking up the wife's cause instead. And I was so impressed by Bee's offer of funds to cover expenses. I do hope that Ishmael will now start to see in Bee someone more than just a dear sister. They both have high standards and the same honorable values in life - hard work, selfless service, integrity etc.

Blessings,
Kym

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