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Post by augiesannie on Aug 16, 2015 12:54:27 GMT
Brigitta is late for the lineup and Georg lightly smacks her with the book. While we know he's supposed to be a martinet, we don't really think our hero abuses his children, so presumably this is a bit of a game or light hearted ritual they've indulged in before. Which supports my theory (a theory I intended to write my first story about and haven't gotten to it yet!) that the whole whistles and marching thing was a game. Yet they don't look like they're having very much fun. What do others have to say about this moment?  |
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Post by augiesannie on Aug 16, 2015 12:57:14 GMT
He looks kind of amused here.  |
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Post by clarinetjamie on Aug 16, 2015 20:32:36 GMT
I think he does it just for formality. I doubt he is ever home long enough to do much disciplining, although he must do some, but I doubt it's much because the kids only play tricks to get his attention. I doubt it goes much beyond yelling and maybe adding extra studies to their lists.
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Post by thebeestings on Aug 16, 2015 22:12:51 GMT
I agree clarinetjamie. I always thought this scene was meant to show that he was all bark and no bite... Or all whistle and no whip if you prefer. Yes he he runs the house like a ship with whistles and orders but they seem to want to snap to attention for him to please him, to get his attention...it's almost a bit desperate of them because they so badly just want him round any way they can have him. I can see what your saying about it being a sort of a game augiesannie. If Brigitta was truly afraid she would have dropped that book and run for the line up. But she just strolls into the hall in a book coma. And Gretl certainly isn't afraid to give him a scowl! |
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Post by utility_singer on Aug 17, 2015 1:59:21 GMT
I agree clarinetjamie. I always thought this scene was meant to show that he was all bark and no bite... Or all whistle and no whip if you prefer. Yes he he runs the house like a ship with whistles and orders but they seem to want to snap to attention for him to please him, to get his attention...it's almost a bit desperate of them because they so badly just want him round any way they can have him. I can see what your saying about it being a sort of a game augiesannie. If Brigitta was truly afraid she would have dropped that book and run for the line up. But she just strolls into the hall in a book coma. And Gretl certainly isn't afraid to give him a scowl! Yep. And they also banter/bicker at the dinner table in a most unlikely manner for an aristocratic family of the time. Definitely all whistle and no whip. But make sure he keeps the riding crop. ;-) |
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Post by clarinetjamie on Aug 17, 2015 2:46:34 GMT
I'm sure he has other uses for that riding crop.  |
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Post by lemacd on Aug 17, 2015 6:26:20 GMT
*checks watch* yep, it's half past "time to make riding crop jokes again"...
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Post by gothicbutterfly95 on Aug 17, 2015 7:01:21 GMT
I always sort of thought of it as he wants them disciplined but not enough to hurt them over something like being a little late. I guess that really is the 'whistle and whip' thing again
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Post by utility_singer on Aug 17, 2015 17:49:41 GMT
Discipline vs. punishment is a discussion we've had frequently at our house.
The expression on his face when he's swatting her bottom tells it---he isn't invested in "punishing" at all.
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