Reading the Chunksters discussion

Chapters 33-34 - The Ruby/John Crumb drama!!


I had been genuinely feeling sorry for Ruby and the way that Felix was exploiting her until I realized that she was probably more duplicitous than him! Poor John Crumb and Ruby’s grandfather had both been of the belief that she would marry him, as she herself had promised, but of course as soon as she caught a glimpse of Felix she disavowed it! It is particularly odd that she continued to abandon John crumb when Felix clearly didn’t care about her and failed to even show up when he had agreed to meet her! When Ruby finally tells the truth to John he is devastated and the grandfather is furious and says she must leave the house. The next morning she does just that, but of course John and Ruby’s grandfather send out a search party and even Roger Carbury ends up trying to figure out how to solve this problem!

What are your thoughts about Ruby at this point - did she deserve to be turned out of the house? How do you think Roger will handle Felix when he gets a hold of him? I can imagine if he tells lady C she will explode!

I still feel sorry for Ruby. Here she got herself affianced to a man who can provide well for him, but she genuinely doesn't like him. And she says so. Yes, she is manipulative, but she has no resources.

It's true her grandfather is charitable in having raised her, but her circumstances are not her fault. If she doesn't like John Crumb, surely another man who can provide for her can be found. I thought it very unfair for her grandfather to turn her out. It isn't as if she's been a frivolous, ungrateful brat. He sees her that way, but she isn't.

Does Roger realize Hetta feels the same about him as Ruby feels about John Crumb? This struck home with me. Wouldn't you think he'd see how miserable Ruby is and think of how Hetta would feel marrying him?

Hetta is smitten with Felix, and smitten is blind. She knows who she wants now, and can't think logically about how Felix treats her. She doesn't seem stupid, but she's not understanding Felix would not be good to her. That's something that happens sometimes, and it's kind of sad, but so is marrying someone you can't abide. This makes Ruby very interesting to me.

Yea! I caught up!
Favourite quote so far - "I didn't mean to be savage, but I think that as we call ourselves Directors we ought to know something about it."

Penney wrote: "Yea! I caught up!
Favourite quote so far - "I didn't mean to be savage, but I think that as we call ourselves Directors we ought to know something about it.""

That was funny. There's a lot of funny.

It's been mentioned we might find some parallels between these characters and modern-day people. And I don't intend to drag politics in here, but now that you're this far along...I wasn't looking for anyone in particular, but I find Mr. Melmotte, as a character, and the way people think of him, remarkably like Donald Trump. I mean nothing for or against Trump. The parallel just popped into my head as I was reading.

I can't say I've ever had anything like that happen before. It usually works the other way. A modern day character is based on a historical figure.

If anyone thinks this comment is out of line, let me know. I'm not here to offend.

Finished part 1 of the book. Very pleased that Marie appears safe from the cad Felix. (his name still gives me a laugh)

This is the first Victorian novel I have read where middle class people seem to sail back and forth to North America with ease. I am finding that interesting.

About Mr. Melmotte - I feel I know more about what people think of him than who he really is. I guess we are building to his stocks and business being worthless, but I am not sure. They could drop in value, but that may be due to perception. This book is teaching me to be cautious about assigning value to bits of paper and perception.

Hummingbirder, there was nothing offensive about your quote. Trump's current reputation started with his TV show. He's a business man just as Mr. Melmotte is.

I feel bad that Ruby does not have a say, but I think she is very resourceful to go to a family in the city. What a coincidence it was the same place as Paul's lady love.

Hetta and Ruby are similar in that they want a man they love and will not be forced by family to marry for convenience. I thought Paul was a man of integrity - the way he was trying to find out about his shares and stock on the railroad- I hated how Melmotte seemed to badger and railroad Paul at the meeting (pun intended). I hope Paul continues to do the right thing and end it with Mrs. Hurdle.

Dinner and Party- I didn't narrow my thought on Trump, but I now can see him at one of his fundraising dinners. Except in this case, Mr. Melmotte is raising money by having an ambassador from China. What is the reason for this money? Has it been mentioned?

Tammy Dayton wrote: "Hummingbirder, there was nothing offensive about your quote. Trump's current reputation started with his TV show. He's a business man just as Mr. Melmotte is.

I feel bad that Ruby does not have a ..."

Quite a coincidence for orphaned Ruby to go to her aunt, who boards people, indeed. The aunt seems quite a handy plot device.

Ruby, Hetta, and Marie all want to marry for love. And Georgina is like a lost shoe, heading to the Melmotte's so she won't be stuck at Caversham. Most of the young ladies in this story certainly have minds of their own. The young men are dodgy! Well, everyone but the young ladies is dodgy.

The whole dinner with the Emperor thing was confusing, and I think meant to be satirical. Great Britain had acquired Hong Kong from China after the second Opium War, within memory of when this story was written. But GB wanted Chinese goods, especially tea, silk, and porcelain, and this cast of characters surely desired these goods. Mr. Melmotte blusters through it. He seems to be trying to justify his existence amongst the supposedly relatively wealthy.

I hate even to write off Felix, but more importantly, Paul. Paul has at least tried to do some real work in his life. But I'm not sure with whom his heart truly lies. It seems he's had true feelings for Mrs. Hustler. I mean Hurter. I mean Hurdle. Yes, she certainly is a hurdle. I don't like her, but I like her spunk.

Hummingbirder wrote: "I still feel sorry for Ruby. Here she got herself affianced to a man who can provide well for him, but she genuinely doesn't like him. And she says so. Yes, she is manipulative, but she has no reso..."

Ruby is one of my favorite characters so far. She was so industrious and compliant in doing everything for her grandfather, but is hardly a meek soul - she knew she did not want John Crumb (Felix or no) and was not about to accept that fate even though it was commonly accepted in the time that marriages would be arranged for material gain - John even mentions the specific items he can provide for her. The grandfather disgusts me in his treatment of her - dragging her by her hair after all that she has done for him! She was bold to escape and knew where to go. Of all the people in the book so far I hope she finds happiness!

Penney wrote: "Yea! I caught up!
Favourite quote so far - "I didn't mean to be savage, but I think that as we call ourselves Directors we ought to know something about it.""

Exactly - I'm thinking - obviously! Do you think most of the board members are in cahoots with Melmotte? If not why do they let this nonsense go on?? We know Paul and Felix are clueless, anyways.

Hummingbirder wrote: "Penney wrote: "Yea! I caught up!
Favourite quote so far - "I didn't mean to be savage, but I think that as we call ourselves Directors we ought to know something about it.""

That was funny. There'..."

I was thinking the same thing HB! Honestly, whether pro-Trump or not I think everyone can agree that his use of influence, wealth and power is very similar. And the way he takes down his enemies!

Penney wrote: "Finished part 1 of the book. Very pleased that Marie appears safe from the cad Felix. (his name still gives me a laugh)

This is the first Victorian novel I have read where middle class people seem..."

I am envious of all of the traveling! I agree that the Melmotte organization seems like a massive scam - I just can't wrap my head around why EVERYONE seems to be going along with it!

I wonder if Melmotte is really wealthy after all?

Hummingbirder wrote: "Tammy Dayton wrote: "Hummingbirder, there was nothing offensive about your quote. Trump's current reputation started with his TV show. He's a business man just as Mr. Melmotte is.

I feel bad that ..."

You and Penney have some great puns! I agree with you both that the ladies are yearning for true love and the men are quite sketchy! Even though Mrs. Hurtle is a hustler, I feel sorry for her. Clearly she has been pining for Paul since he left.