cap 15: I don't know your signal

Golly, that's a tough one!

I was thinking about this and finding it difficult to judge, when I was reminded of a newspaper article written by the daughter of a nun (who later left the convent and married an ex-monk, hence the daughter!) - the article is in here somewhere under Maria's Vocation,I seem to remember. Anyhow,something that struck me was that the nun said that to join a convent was often to ensure yourself of a better quality of life than you might otherwise have had. Bearing in mind many convents are pretty basic, this is interesting,and she said it because in Glasgow, Scotland in the 1950s when she joined, life for poor people was pretty tough and frequently meant grotty homes with large families (particularly Catholic ones), often with alcoholic and abusive husbands. So a quiet and thoughtful life in a convent was sometimes deemed preferable by women.

Am I right in thinking the Real Maria was an orphan with an abusive uncle? Did she actually make a bold decision to join the convent to ensure herself some sort of a decent life?

As to whether it helped her at the villa...well, I'm sure the Captain wouldn't have fallen for her if she was a wet rag! No, he was invigorated by her impertinence because it questioned his mindframe, and gave him a big rethink. Her boldness was her lifesaver! (And his.)

This is a sentiment that may not be shared by others but I feel the answer in this situaiton is found in her "you don't look at all like a sea captain" line.

Though apparently stern the Captain didn't appear as fearsome to her as she'd no doubt worried that he would be and honestly I think his little display of blowing a whistle and having his children present themselves like a troop of soldiers was so ridiculous to Maria that she found herself by the end feeling like this man surely cannot be serious. Who on earth could seriously treat their family in such a way? It was absurd.

Whether or not her boldness was a by-product of her childhood (I'm unsettled on the abusive uncle score although I think I lean more towards lemacd 's comment about indifference), Maria as the young adult that we first meet in the film was definitely quite brazen by nature. I think she never really intends impertinence but is honest to a fault (this conclusion of mine coming from words directly out of her own mouth) and can't stop herself from saying what she thinks regardless of the situation.

I think the only time she'd stop herself from being so outspoken would be if she were intimidated by someone. And therefore as her intimidation diminishes her honesty and boldness comes to the front- hence the impertinent whistle.

Also quite likely a factor I feel; Maria to me seems like she is very hot-tempered and naturally protective of the children so her impertinent whistle may have been an unthinking expression of her anger at seeing the captain's treatment of the children.

Maria's complicated. She breezes right by Franz when he attempts to put her in her place and I don't see much evidence that she's intimidated by the Captain in the beginning - she lacked confidence about the situation, but doesn't seem to have been too put off by him. She seems a lot more tentative during the party - maybe once she's developed feelings for him, she's not exactly intimidated by him but she's more susceptible to him, probably cares what he thinks more, etc.

I forget how much her RL foster home was indifferent vs. cruel, so defer to others, but I do know that she joined the convent out of religious zeal, not to get a safe stable existence.

This scene always cracks me up. Do you think she is giving the Captain a taste of his own medicine? I always picture her saying to herself... Hey you... so how do like being whistled at? And his reaction when he stops and turns around and gives her that look... Lol.