The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

This week we read the Appendix, which contains "the rest of the story." The wedding with all the tradition and ceremony that surround it.

1) There is an extensive tradition which results in a three-day wedding during the winter. Do you have any thoughts or experience with this kind of lengthy celebration?

2) Did you know there was so much symbolism in the cabbage?

3) At one point Germain said to Marie, "...I wish I had three or four hearts to hold it all. Really, one is too small to hold so much love and so much happiness." This really touched me and although it didn't surprise me at all especially given how heartsick he was in previous chapters.

Likewise, the fact that Marie requested Germain marry her with his deceased wife's ring didn't surprise me either. I think both of these scenes in the book are expressive of the love they have for each other, and the respect Marie has for Germain and his first wife. What are your thoughts?

The detailed ceremony of the cabbage and the bridegroom breaking into the bride’s home were so interesting to me. I’d never heard of any traditions like these but have heard of other ancient traditions related to fertility, harvest, etc. I’m so glad these relics of a pagan time have been recorded, even though their full former significance has been lost.

I enjoyed the appendix but I sure am glad I’m not expected to socialize with the same people for three solid days every time somebody gets married lol. I was exhausted and grumpy just reading about it!

Jill wrote: "I enjoyed the appendix but I sure am glad I’m not expected to socialize with the same people for three solid days every time somebody gets married lol. I was exhausted and grumpy just reading about..."

I was thinking exactly the same thing, I'm too much of an introvert.

I wasn't very interested in this section since the story itself was over. I suppose that even at the time the author was depicting customs that were soon to be obsolete. I think a lot of cultures have traditions enacting a sort of kidnapping of the bride, but I don't find it endearing. Especially when Marie was so far from helpless in real life, compared to Germain.

Remembering how this story began, Sand talks about the difference from reality of the peasants to what is shown by Holbien in art. I think the appendix is to show how much joy, ritual, and happiness exists there instead of the depiction of tiredness seen throughout art.

Thanks for bringing this back to the introduction Deborah-I didn't remember that.
The format of this novella is a bit jarring for me-an "appendix" which is kind of a continuation of the story and kind of a description of social customs of a time gone by, or for contemporary (and probably mainly well-educated, well-off) readers of a social system in rural areas quite different from their own experience.
On the other hand, it's rather sweet to get a glimpse into the "happily ever after" implied by the ending of the main book with at least some of the actual marriage ceremony and customs.

Frances wrote: "Thanks for bringing this back to the introduction Deborah-I didn't remember that.
The format of this novella is a bit jarring for me-an "appendix" which is kind of a continuation of the story and k..."

I agree it can be jarring. I think she was also capturing the rituals that she experienced as a young girl.

Like Robin, I had trouble staying interested during the 3 day wedding rituals even though I wanted to pay attention as I had read Deborah's observation that it brings full circle to Sand's intended story message. At times, it felt like I was reading a Margaret Mead type study. The 3rd day 'play' seemed like it might deter marriages if done on day one.
The novella was a pleasant but slight pastoral portrait that Sand used the intro and appendix to try and add depth to. In some ways, it's similar, in length and locale, to what Willa Cather often successfully wrote, but I thought it lacked something in its characterization that prevented my getting properly attached to the characters.

I can see why Sand put these in a separate section, since the descriptions tend to drag.

When we were on trip to Constanta, Romania, in 2006, the tour guide told us they "kidnap" the bride, but instead of a fight, they "ransom" her with good wine or liquor, not the cheap stuff.And everything is done over the phone.

Deborah wrote: "Remembering how this story began, Sand talks about the difference from reality of the peasants to what is shown by Holbien in art. I think the appendix is to show how much joy, ritual, and happines..."

It was an interesting way to tie everything together.

I enjoyed it too. It was very anthropological, but I like that.

Sorry I'm just not getting to comment on this section, although I read it last week.

Like Robin and Brian, the appendix did not really hold my interest and I found myself skimming, especially when I realized that the three day wedding ritual was the entirety of the appendix. I am glad that this was sectioned off as the appendix so that when I was done with the actual story, I didn't expect more from it. If the wedding ritual had been included as part of the story, I think it would have dragged down my enjoyment of the story overall.

I also agree with Brian that I felt that I did not really "know" the characters very deeply, so although I enjoyed the story overall, my enjoyment felt superficial.