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Monday, April 20, 0:17:14 [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, [6], 7, 8 ]

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Date Posted: 13:15:05 10/15/07 Mon
Author: pamelalass
Subject: Thanks, ladies, for helping me think this through. While I know maddiej is right about John's only reason for being present (blackmail), and the unpremeditated instinctiveness of his behavior, I do think it turns into something more, and something that does have parallels with Jamie at Gavin's execution, because of the crowd, and the risk of guilt by association. I think just calling Bates's name the way he does revealed that he knew the man, even before he did the leg-pulling. The inner thoughts we are privy to here don't reveal whether he thinks about Bates as a fellow officer, a convicted (though not actual) fellow homosexual, or a worthless blackmailer, but in the end I see his actions here as a representation of his humanity, and it feels too coincidental for me not to see it as a narrative linking of John to Jamie. But, to kgp's point, of course the book, and this scene, must also stand alone, for a reader who doesn't know anything about Jamie.
In reply to: maddiej 's message, "The only similarity I see is the "witnessing" of death by hanging. John actually doesn't do this out of compassion; Bates blackmailed him. (He could have not showed up, but as Bates noted, "officer and gentleman". He gave his word, so he'll go.) He's in no danger of being suspected as a sodomite--until he makes that instinctive gesture to end Bates's suffering. I think *that* is a really major difference. He comes reluctantly, and has no deep feeling for Bates (while Jamie was Gavin Hayes "chief," as well as his friend). But he can't let Bates strangle in front of him. He doesn't think anything about "fellow officer" or "there but for the grace of God go I", nor does he think for an instant about his own safety. He just does what has to be done. Jamie is fulfilling his social obligations to Gavin; John is showing instinctive mercy to a stranger. I think the parallel is actually stronger with Jamie's actions toward Aaron Beardsley." on 11:05:21 10/15/07 Mon


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