Lois’s answer to “Why do you think Aral wasn't more of a father figure to Ivan? How would it have worked if Ivan ha…” > Likes and Comments
10 likes · Like
I wondered if he might have subconsciously resented Ivan's health.
I have always read it that Ekaterin paid for the vacation. Calling it into question has shattered my world. If the goddess herself doesn't know, how can I be sure of anything?
Now I will have to re-read the entire series again. Drat!
Oddly enough, that was about how I pictured those tiles.
And I also need to take a quick look at Winterfair Gifts. Goo thing it's short.
Talli, it's an interesting question. "Resented" feels a little strong for that character, but he may have worried that being a father figure to a non-disabled kid his own son's age might have made either Miles or the district think Ivan was a better choice for son and heir, and wanted to nip that in the bud? Entirely aside from the fact that as Bujold pointed out, he was super busy and I'm betting with the value he placed on intelligence and effort, Ivan's laziness and passivity probably weren't appealing enough to justify carving out more time for him?
Lisa, you make some good points regarding public opinion of the heir. However, Ivan's most visible personality traits are things he imposes upon himself. With a mentor like Aral he wouldn't have needed them. Ivan is by no means unintelligent or actually lazy, he just wants to give the appearance of being so to avoid the huge responsibilities he sees others shouldering - with grooming he might have been more prepared to handle them and would not try to duck those duties. I have a feeling Aral would have realized that if he'd spent more time with him. Miles sure did.
Interesting argument, Derek! I love trying to tease these possibilities out.
I always assumed it was Ekaterin giving Roic the extra time off and pay; it seems obvious to me. And aren't there other districts where the counts name is not the same as the name of the district? I thought I remembered reading this once or twice. (But maybe I'm thinking of the steadholders and their steadings on Grayson in the Honor Harrington series. )
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Talli
(new)
Sep 14, 2016 12:34AM
I wondered if he might have subconsciously resented Ivan's health.
reply
|
flag
I have always read it that Ekaterin paid for the vacation. Calling it into question has shattered my world. If the goddess herself doesn't know, how can I be sure of anything?Now I will have to re-read the entire series again. Drat!
Oddly enough, that was about how I pictured those tiles. And I also need to take a quick look at Winterfair Gifts. Goo thing it's short.
Talli, it's an interesting question. "Resented" feels a little strong for that character, but he may have worried that being a father figure to a non-disabled kid his own son's age might have made either Miles or the district think Ivan was a better choice for son and heir, and wanted to nip that in the bud? Entirely aside from the fact that as Bujold pointed out, he was super busy and I'm betting with the value he placed on intelligence and effort, Ivan's laziness and passivity probably weren't appealing enough to justify carving out more time for him?
Lisa, you make some good points regarding public opinion of the heir. However, Ivan's most visible personality traits are things he imposes upon himself. With a mentor like Aral he wouldn't have needed them. Ivan is by no means unintelligent or actually lazy, he just wants to give the appearance of being so to avoid the huge responsibilities he sees others shouldering - with grooming he might have been more prepared to handle them and would not try to duck those duties. I have a feeling Aral would have realized that if he'd spent more time with him. Miles sure did.
Interesting argument, Derek! I love trying to tease these possibilities out.
I always assumed it was Ekaterin giving Roic the extra time off and pay; it seems obvious to me. And aren't there other districts where the counts name is not the same as the name of the district? I thought I remembered reading this once or twice. (But maybe I'm thinking of the steadholders and their steadings on Grayson in the Honor Harrington series. )
