I have been trying to make up my mind as to whether or not Who Would Have Thought It? is a feminist novel since last class. One must admit, it is most certainly a debatable topic. As was pointed out in class, it would be nearly impossible for one to write a novel set in 1872 that did not contain enough instances of gender inequality to make any feminist’s blood boil. Is the presentation of gender issues inherent to nineteenth century male-dominated society, however, sufficient cause for one to label Ruiz de Burton’s writing as feminist? I have given considerable thought to the issue and I feel that while the issue of gender inequality is inextricably bound with many of the controversial themes addressed in the novel, it is not intentionally central to Ruiz de Burton’s purpose. Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton is clearly a very intelligent and persuasive woman. Her knack for subjective portrayals of the issues she feels passionately about is evident within the first few pages of the novel. Every minute detail of the story she presents is conveniently sculpted to express her personal opinion as the author. It is for this very reason that I believe if Ruiz de Burton’s primary agenda were to produce a feminist discourse, the reader would surely know it. It interesting to note that for central female characters in the novel we are given Mrs. Norval, a cruel, cold, racist, greedy woman and her shallow daughters, Ruth and Mattie, who care about nothing more than fashion, wealth and appearances. These women are clearly antagonists and yet even the good women in the novel are no pillars of strength or virtue. Although Lavinia is cast in a somewhat charitable light for her selfless dedication to her patients, she is also pointedly presented as foolish for allowing herself to be seduced by both Hackwell and Hammerhard, with no proper assurance of marriage. Even Lola, arguably the most righteous of female characters in the novel, although she does no wrong, hardly does right either. She does not really do anything. Although central to the plot, Lola is barely involved in the story of her own pitiful life. In light of Ruiz de Burton’s selection of weak and foolish female characters, I therefore think it can be safely argued that although gender issues play a role in the novel, it is not outwardly feminist in nature. If feminism were the driving force behind Who Would Have Thought It?, Ruiz de Burton would certainly have fabricated far more virtuous, intelligent women of substance as her female protagonists.

My head is struggling to form and articulate an opinion at the moment. Overactive weekend cells require time to regroup. Well, let’s see how this goes….

Just closed the book. A tad dumbfounded by the final chapter, although, to be fair, see above. I can’t claim to have fully grasped the meaning of the Cackles’ closing discourse, but it did leave me thinking that Ruiz de Burton’s criticisms were aimed far more acutely at American class politics (and the various hypocrisies found therein) than at gender or even race issues. Needless to say, these concerns are not to be dismissed, but it would appear as though they are simply obvious dissatisfactions with society. They are easily mentioned in passing, but I feel as though she failed to demonstrate any passionate intent behind her disapproval. Is this an example of feminist literature? It certainly doesn’t strike me as being intentionally so. That Burton addresses matters of gender and race related inequalities only speaks to the fact that they were clearly present in her time and she was faced with their adversity in daily life. We write about what we know. Was she dissatisfied with the treatment she saw minority groups receiving? Of course, and it’s natural for her to expose them, but I don’t think that’s why she wrote this book. It’s easy to turn those injustices into a more dramatic read (not to trivialize their consequence), but I can’t help but feel that she was much more passionate about the dirty shit going on between rich, white men. She seems to race to tie up the loose ends of the story, while leaving the last word as an attack on the deceitful, manipulative and downright repulsive norms of “patriotic” politics.

Anyways, I enjoyed the read. I found Ruiz de Burton’s novel to be fairly well written and informative, while captivating my interest in the drama of the characters’ lives. More time needed to fully digest. Gah. Brain. How I abuse you.

The novel seems to stay true to its title. Who would have thought it would end with a beginning? In its final chapters, the story seemed to shift its focus from the older generation to the younger generation. The story highlights the newly established relationships such as the marriage of Ruth Norval and Julius Caesar Cackle, the alliance between Hackwell and Ruth and possibilities such as a union between Julian and Lola.

Dr. Norval fades into the background. We hear about his opposition to sending Mrs. Norval to the asylum but we do not actually hear his words. In fact, this is the one of the few times he has been mentioned since his return. Mrs. Norval looses her capability of speech.

It is quite interesting that his return was marked by silence. Burton restores the status quo through Mrs. Norval’s mysterious illness. She interfered with Dona Medina’s wishes for Lola to have plenty of jewelry. Fortune’s wheel seems to have tuned. Now, her existence is muted. Dona Medina was fortunate to have her will documented but Mrs. Norval is not that lucky. Ruth complains “Isn’t is provoking that pa won’t let me have a handsome wedding?” Dr. Norval, who was mostly absent in their lives, is left to make the decisions on his own.

Dr. Norval seemed to have gained control through Mrs. Norval’s powerless state. The novel seems to be concerned with acquisition through deprivation. Mrs. Norval and her daughter’s dressed themselves in the finest silks at Lola’s expense. Hackwell tried to win Lola like a piece of property through blackmail.

He tricked her into pretending to be his wife. With Julian’s help, Lola is able to escape to Mexico. This probably the only time she was victorious throughout the entire novel. And she achieves it though deception. They led Hackwell into assuming that Lola was aboard the Dove.

Well I am going to have to say that I agree with the “forewarning” given to us in regards to the end of this big pink non-tedious book! Although I thoroughly enjoyed most of the novel, the incredibly anticlimactic ending, I did not. I guess, in order to give Ruiz de Burton a bit of credit, it was somewhat appropriate for her to have ended this work in a discussion of politics as it is one of the larger themes here…but still…I couldn’t believe that the last pages were devoted to my least favourite part of the book. It was such a monotonous dialog between the ranting and raving Cackles, with only about a page given to wrap up the lives of Julian and Lola. (And on a side note I thought that the irony of their reunion was kind of cheesy with Julian needing to be by Lola’s side in order to cure her love sick heart. It was obviously a parallel to the time when she left Washington to come to Julian’s bedside so as to also save his love sick heart.)

Anyways, I had been looking forward to reading about whether or not there was going to be any resolution between the Dr. and Mrs. Norval. Instead however, Mrs. Norval is able to avoid the whole confrontational mess by simply checking out, and giving in to her insanity. In the meantime we aren’t given any details as to what becomes of the Doctor after he arrives back from Africa, nor do we learn of his reactions to the entire escapade…including those toward the abominable actions of his old “friend” Hackwell.

Despite all of my critique towards the latter portion of this book, I will mention one thing that I was quite amused with: the punishment of shame and embarrassment met by the ex-reverend after realizing his defeat and that his chances of being with Lola were eliminated. This important and entertaining victory, in my opinion, gave some aid in ameliorating Ruiz de Burton’s ending, but it definitely was not enough to prevent the utter boredom that was inflicted upon the reader in the final pages of this book.

Maybe there were no glass slippers or a robust matronly “fairy godmother” singing about bibbity-bobbity-boo in a pumpkin carriage, but as I progressed farther through Ruiz de Burton’s Who Would Have Thought It? , I started drawing more and more parallels between this lovely pink novel and the beloved tale of Cinderella.

Mrs. Norval is, for myself personally, Cinderella’s stepmother, who as seen throughout the novel, becomes progressively vile after her husband mysteriously disappears, leaving their “adopted” daughter Lola to a constantly chaperoned life, void of all the treasures she and her “father” acquired. Norval orders Lola around, sends her to a convent, and disapproves of Lola’s relationship with the prince (Julian), who seems to be, in Mrs. Norval’s eyes, of a better social standing and breeding than Lola.

Ruth and Maddie, Mrs. Norval’s biological daughters are the stepsisters. Just as in our favourite Disney movie, they are spoiled, fashionable, and will do anything for their mother or for a step up the social ladder. I wouldn’t go so far as saying Ruth and Maddie are “evil stepsisters”, but more that they were raised in an environment where social standing and making impressions upon the high-class society of New England were important. Even in the beginning of the novel we can see them moaning and groaning about how they have to wear the same dress all the time and only have one item of jewellery, ect, ect. There are actions and words of these Sisters I disagree with (for example when one of the sisters stated that she hated poor people), but generally speaking, I think these girls were more ignorant and, well stupid, than actually vicious. I have the feeling they never had the intention to hurt or offend, just to impress others and tell them what they wanted to hear. I feel these “stepsisters” Ruth and Maddie were more victims of their society than victimizers.

There was no person I could peg as the “fairy godmother” in Who Would Have Thought It? , but the concept of race could have been a replacement for this role. When thinking of Cinderella, I think of a transformation from a dirty, hardworking housemaid to a humble, envied, and beautiful maiden, who becomes the belle of the ball. The fairy godmother in the well known version of Cinderella basically wipes the ashes off poor Cindy’s face and gives her a new dress and thus, an opportunity to go to the ball and be respected. The fairy godmother in Ruiz de Burton’s novel is again the changing of race, wiping the coal (in this case dye) off Lola’s face, and transforming her into a white girl who is now able to “go to the ball” or into a New Englander’s society and be treated with more respect—thus giving Lola/Cinderella the opportunities usually only her sisters received. I find it peculiar that in both versions, the ingénue stays pure and modest, and that in both versions, the Prince/Julian love Cinderella/Lola regardless of what they were “transformed into.”

The underlying theme of Cinderella is oppression without a valid or logical reason, as is, I concur, the theme of this novel.

I agree with Jon, Mrs. Norval is just stupid-she is someone who clings onto every word of her beloved. She is so deep in love with Mr.Hackwell that she is willing to throw herself at his feet and follow his unreasonable biddings. She is quite a weak woman. Time to move onto who the REAL villain is….MR.HACKWELL! I actually feel sorry for Mrs.Norval with the way Mr.Hackwell plays with her mind and uses her unconditional love to his advantage. It was even more sickening to learn of his twisted plans to force Lola into marrying him and doing whatever it takes to prevent Julian from marrying her. “The dark demons and hideous monsters, the untamed, ferocious beasts of passions, the poisonous reptiles, and repulsive, crawling things of wicked propensities and sinful desires…” It was creepy how Ruiz de Burton describes in detail his innermost feelings and the extent of his jealousy. “He thought the man could be no other than Julian, and, as the thought flashed on his brain, he instinctively carried his hand to his breast pocket, where a little pistol lay always ready.” What a psychopath!!!

This second half of the novel was definitely a much more interesting read because the story really picked up and it felt as if I was watching dramatic television program. Throughout the last half of the novel I awaited anxiously for the sinful ex-priest to receive his well-deserved punishment. However, the final confrontation between Julian and Mr.Hackwell was not as explosive or exciting as i had highly anticipated. I have about 10 pages left to read before i finish the novel and i hope that we have more closure about what happened to Mr.Hackwell and i hope that Julian and Lola finally get that happy ending together!

Now that i have finished reading the story i agree a lot with what was said in class, that the book has a, not so great ending because it leaves the reader dissatisfied with the outcome. In the end it is a happy ending because Lola finally get her prince and they live happily ever after with her father in Mexico. but its to perfect in my opinion to make it a good ending its not really believable. Also i believe the ending was to fast and it lacks detail. But in general the book even though it was a drama it brought up a lot of issues of that time like racial differences, religious and political differences and gender difference. Issues that are still present in our time and the fact that you can relate to the character in some way or another made it a good story.

I’d say that what has most astonished me from this novel has been Hackwell’s ability to manipulate most of the female characters. Hackwell is a very interesting character, he really did become the villain of the novel and quite a player as well. He has wooed Lavinia, Mrs. Hackwell (who dies) and Mrs. Norval however this does not suffice him and he attempts to win Lola. I really do feel sorry for Lola for she is taken advantage of, manipulated and lied to many times throughout the story. I just wish that she and Julian could be together, that’s probably the most annoying part of the story. Her relationship with Julian is so difficult to maintain.

It also makes me think about the means of communication that were available in that day. All of the telegraphing, letter writing and traveling is quite comical, it seems that all the characters are constantly writing to one another and taking trains to maintain in contact. Ruiz de Burton does not make much of a fuss of how long these processes take or how they happen, it is simply stated, for example that Isaac goes to Mexico and that he returns. Ruiz de Burton does not romanticize the journeys or the waiting between letters or telegraphs nor does she hint at how long it would take for Isaac to travel to and from Mexico.

Speaking of Isaac, I’m confused about him. When he found the manuscript how did he not figure out that it was about Lola? It’s really too bad that he didn’t figure it out because it made everything more difficult. But, at the same time Ruiz de Burton did that on purpose to make more of a story I guess.

I enjoyed this novel way more than I would have expected. I thought Ruiz de Burton’s use of the narrator that sometimes addressed the reader was clever, it made me feel more involved. While this novel had its share of drama and could be considered to be a little telenovela-like, the ending did not match the rest of the novel’s drama. I too was lost by all the political ramblings in the conclusion and would have preferred a happily-ever-after story about Lola and Julian. But I guess the romantic plots of this book were secondary to the political plot that runs throughout the novel.

I thought the speed of the second half of the book quickened immensely from the first half.  I found myself breezing through this frustrating novel.  The devilish almost psychotic preacher Mr. Hackwell kept the pages turning for me.  I was waiting for his grand comeuppance, but there was no act of revenge that was satisfying for me.  Like a villain out of a 1970’s Hanna Barbara cartoon, Mr. Hackwell mischievously worked his scheme on Lola and Mrs. Norval.  I though this was where Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton excelled in her attempt to capture the reader.  His selfishness and greed was deliciously frustrating. One example of this is towards the end of the novel when Mr. Hackwell starts to slip into psychosis upon the realization that he must have Lola.  “His brain throbbed at the thought that Lola would be taken from him–Lola, that radiant, magnificent creature, to keep whom from marrying Julian, he had plotted, lied, and stolen. He had cherished the thrilling, intoxicating, hope, though with savage spells of rage and wild longings of despair, that she would be his in spite of Julian” (Burton, 252).  Mrs. Burton builds this character up perfectly and impeccably constructed his whole character in no more than paragraph.  In previous chapters he used Lola’s father as a tool to trap Lola into becoming his wife.  By having Lola reluctantly state that she is his wife to numerous witnesses, he caged Lola into a deceitful “marriage.”  This plan perfectly describes Mr. Hackwell as a calm, calculating, self-interested psychopath.

No matter what it takes or who he has to step on, Mr. Hackwell will figure out a way to have his Lola; even against her will.  His ability to assume different personalities around different people to get what he desires, was satisfying and discomforting to me.  Satisfying as in his drive to manipulate the equally greedy Mrs. Norval for his gain.  Discomforting in his awkward pursuit of Lola.

However quick the book felt, the last twenty pages of the book felt rushed and seemed to drag.   Mrs. Burton could have ended her novel in chapter LIX.  The conflict between Hackwell and Julian could have been a logical ending point.  The build up and character development for Julian came to a climax in this chapter.  He had been in obvious pain because of his dismissal from the army and because of his discovery of Mr. Hackwell’s plans of marriage.   I felt an epic duel between the two could have ended the novel on a much more satisfying note for the reader and give Mr. Hackwell his much deserved comeuppance.

A mi encuentro este libro interesante por el cinicismo y el sarcasmo del autor en una cuenta muy critica de la sociedad Estadounidense del nordeste. En esta historia de una communidad blanca de Nueva Inglaterra en que una chica Espanola con “piel negro” esta empujada, el autor, Maria Ruiz de Burton, enfoca en la superficialidad de la gente, la ignorancia, la hipocracia, el inequilibrio de poder, el sexismo y el racismo. Ella trata de atacar y exponer a lo que parece como todos los malos que ella percibe en esta sociedad en que vivio por un tiempo. Y a este punto, ella sucede en su meta, aunque sus poderes narrativos estan faltando a veces. Ninguna de sus caracteres son bien desarollados, en especial su personaje supuestamente principal, Lola, la chica “negra,” quien pasa dentro y afuera del narrativo. Cuando esta presente, no habla mucho dialogo o hace mucho accion.

Ya que “Who Would Have Thought It?” esta el primer libro de Ruiz de Burton, tengo que dejar los veredictos en sus habilidades como autor hasta que hube leido sus otros libros, pero a este punto deciria que fuera mejor si ella se queda en el reino de criticismo en lugar de la literatura.