Alright, so I have to admit: this book is getting better. I’m still finding it hard to follow sometimes and find myself having to go back and read things over. However, I’m also finding myself wishing I was finishing this book while listening to other lectures in my classes 🙂
So today in class we were talking about whether this book could be constituted as a feminist novel. Truth to be told, the actions of many women in this story embarrass womankind everywhere. Pinning over men who are married seems to be a good one. Also, entering a relationship and acting like a lovesick puppy when you are ‘pretty sure’ your husband is dead. I am aware that this novel was set in the 1800 and that maybe women weren’t expected to be more than ‘ladies’; but anybody who only worries about out-dressing their sister needs a reality check. The only women who act in a decent manner are Lavinia (who never gives up when looking for Isaac), and poor Lola (who although is the source of the Norval’s so called happiness and riches, is never fully treated like a human being).
Another thing that has struck me while reading this: the evils in this world, no matter what shape and size they might come in, are prominent in life and especially in this tale. The Hackwells go as far as pretending somebody’s family member is dead in order to get money and status. I’ve yet to finish the last few pages in the book, and am curious to see if karma is in place here (hopefully) and if Lola finally finds happiness with her family and Julian.
I wonder what will happen to Lola’s money when she finds her father. Will she let the Norvals keep it all and live with her father or would she take it along with her?
Also, what is to happen when Mr. Norval finally returns from his travels?
A question for whoever might be reading this: How do you think the title relates to this story?

My reactions to the first part of the novel is quite positive. I found it to be very captivating because of the flow and easiness of the story. I think that it is an interesting read because it is sort of like a soap opera…and soap operas have drama…and i love drama. But also apart from the drama i think that the first part of the book really touches on important themes that are tied into the course. Race is obviously a big issue and reveals to us the mindset of the people of that time and also the exceptions that are made to overlooking race when other factors, like money are involved. I found it a little weird that Lola was not actually black or native, and that her skin was only painted but perhaps we can see this as symbolic for how looks can be decieving. Another theme i thought was important was your gender related to nation in the novel. It is obvious that women were not valued in that society in terms of politics or government because of their lack of education about the subject. I found Lavvy to be a great example of the portrayel of innocence and ignorance to what was actually going on in her country and the propaganda that she was receiving. I think the dynamics of this book is really interesting and im excited to learn more about it. Im not too sure how this relates to much with chicanos, but perhaps the book touches more on societal views of foreigners during the time of the civil war in the US and how they were an influence or a nuisance to the stereotypical patriotic american citizen. anyways im excited to see what goes on in the book further after the death of the doctor. and mostly to see whether julian and lola end up together…drama drama!!!

reading others response to the book i found it very interesting how many like (Emily) applied this book to modern times. she mentioned that this racism is still very apparent in the states especially in California towards Spanish people. and that made me think that there is a big difference between Canada and the states in this regard because Canada encourages diversity and even though racism is present is not as Strong as in the states towards Hispanic people.

Nicole also mentioned something very interesting which is the presence of the author in the book in some occasions she talks to the reader. which is interesting because if you read the introduction of the book it mentions that the author did not want to have her name published in the book because she was scared it would affect the way the book was seen, yet she included her self in the story, t in more mysterious way, with out an identity almost as a neutral party yet when we learn more about the author we see that she favors Lola.

Feminism….Racism….Materialism…The absurdity of war….Government corruption…
Could be today.
Maria Ruiz de Burton’s modern way of thinking has me impressed and smiling on almost every page. She’s making these sharp, witty observations on many universal, transcendent issues that exist in today’s society as well as in the 19th century. For a book written in 1872, the commentary is years ahead of its time, and all expressed with hilarious satirical flair.
It’s not just that the issues she discusses still exist today. Her voice expresses opinions that are completely modern.
On women’s role in society, Maria brings to our attention the power and strength of women in the family and in the war (Mrs. Norval, Lavinia Sprig), the ability of women to deal with political issues in a thoughtful and rational way, and the regular dismissal and scorn with which they are treated in attempts to express these things (Lavinia Sprig’s encounter in Washington and the derision of Mr. Blower). She ridicules the old stuffy men who are against the franchise. All these things are very much a modern reality….and now women can vote, too.
On racism, Maria portrays the “bad” or “roguish” characters as racists, and the good as tolerant. Constant references by Mrs. Norval (the evil stepmother) and Ruth, her vacuous daughter, about “Indians” and “niggers” are contrasted by Lola’s fair and kind treatment at the hands of good characters like Julian and the Doctor. The Confederates are the bad guys. Today, we condemn racism as superficial and illogical, as Maria has pointed out more than 100 years ago.
On materialism (a plague of today, in my opinion) Maria shows criticism of the Misses Norval’s obsession with a certain lifestyle, especially clothes, and their idolatry of these things above what really matters (Ruth goes so far as to hope her brother Jules doesn’t die so she doesn’t have to wear black….she really wants to wear her new silks).
The absurdity of war is a timeless choice….we’re dealing today with the same false heroes (like the Cackles, like Hackwell, who become heroes for their stupidity), the same creation of “enemies” using fear (Julian ponders the issue of killing his own countrymen), the same use of war policy by the government to achieve innoble aims (Blower’s bizarre explanation to Lavinia about starving the enemy and thus their prisoners).
Government corruption is everywhere in the story. Men make their way to government posts through family connection and money. Members of respected institutions (like the Church…yes, this doesn’t go under government but I will put it here) are frauds and hypocrites (Hackwell etc.)
Maria’s criticism of these is expressed as a modern writer would express it.
This is what literature is about: the transcendent, the universal, the timeless.
I’m loving it.

Ruiz de Burton, the author of Who Would Have Thought It, begins her novel explaining that in a world of good and proper people rogues are useful and necessary, or else they would ‘perish of sheer insanity”. The story progresses ironically as the real rogues, Mr.Hackwell and Mrs.Norval (to name a few), perceive the most-honourable and kind-hearted Dr. Norval as a “temporary whetstone” due to the lack of rogues in their community of ‘proper’ people. It is hard to believe that the purest man, in heart and mind, has been stamped as a writer of treason and even harder to believe that the same man once proposed to the conniving Mrs.Norval!!! Although Mrs.Norval is an unbelievably shrewd woman with a huge disregard for poor Lola’s feelings, she represents the common attitude towards non-whites. In modern day, Mrs.Norval may seem out of line with her crude words and selfish desires, however, her behavior was considered ‘normal’ when this book was written by Ruiz Burton and that the sympathetic Dr. Norval is the one whom is out of line during this time, regardless of his endless care and support for others.

Love is a strong force in this novel, inducing hearts to sway towards the good-as well as the bad. Ruiz de Barton describes in great detail the happiness and the love that surges through Dr.Norval’s body when Lola embraces him with all her love. Lola has a similar effect on Julian. Julian’s severely wounded state was became significantly better upon the arrival of Lola and his love for her only made him healthier. However, in Mrs.Norval’s case, her blinded love towards Mr.Hackwell causes her to act most selfishly in order to fulfill her own desires, such as forgetting about the physical state of her wounded son and disregarding her sister’s feelings about leaving Mr.Hackwell’s side. Although her jealousy is unreasonable and her actions intolerable, her wild emotions make her one of the most interesting characters of the novel.

Although Lola is mistreated by of Mrs.Norval and the rest of the community, she soon captures all the hearts of the purest and kindest people in the novel! I am excited to see how far Lola’s influences will extend.

I must admit that when I heard that our first novel was written in 1872 I was a little skeptical about whether or not I would like it. Generally, I do not enjoy historical writing; I have always preferred contemporary fiction with concepts that are translatable to my life and what I know. However this book has surprised me. While I do not love it nor would I choose to read it on my own, I do not find it a chore to read. sI actually might even enjoy it a little bit.
The first few pages were difficult to get through, but then as the drama ensued I began to think of it as a little telenovela. I have read a little bit of what others have blogged and I would have to agree that the characters are not very well developed and that the plot is a bit difficult to follow, however the melodrama is enough to keep me reading. While the novel is melodramatic it is also a very interesting commentary on the society in which Ruiz de Burton lived. I was most intrigued by the way she describes gender and power dynamics in the 19th century United States.
Ruiz de Burton exemplifies the way that women were perceived in that society by the comments made by male characters. Regardless of what the male characters say about women in that time, many of the female characters in the novel are strong and powerful women: Lavinia is a single woman of thirty-two who is a confident and capable of nursing. She is aware of how hard she works and she says this, however she still allows herself to be put down by Mr. Blower and she in turn also puts herself down. Mrs. Norval is a powerful and opinionated woman who demands respect and obedience, however she still allows Dr. Norval to make important decisions even if she does not agree with his choices. Ruiz de Burton offers an interesting look into the place of women in that society and how powerful men, such as the politicians with whom Lavinia and Mrs. Norval interact, perceive these women and shape their views of themselves.
Related to the gender dynamic illustrated in the novel is Ruiz de Burton’s commentary on reputation and power. She makes it very evident that one’s reputation is greatly affected by one’s political views, actions and friends or acquaintances. It is also clear that reputation is a big deciding factor for what advantages ares available to one in that society.
All in all I feel that this novel has done a good job of providing significant drama to keep me intrigued while also allowing me to learn a bit about 19th century society in the U.S. and the U.S. Civil War, topics about which I knew very little previously.

Hasta la seccion que nos ha tocado leer, el libro me parece entretenido y pobre Lola dios mio!! En la familia que le toco vivir. Este libro representa bien la mentalidad que habia en esos tiempos en Estados Unidos. Hay bastante racismo en todo el pais y mucha hipocresía, sobretodo departe de la señora Norval, la cual cumple el rol de la malvada madrastra. Esta a pesar de que se considera una abolicionista, lo cual quiere decir que esta en contra de la esclavitud, trata a Lola como si fuese una esclava y la desprecia. Luego, al darse cuenta de que esta niña tiene bastante dinero y joyas, esta interesada en apropiarse de ello y hacerse rica.

Gracias a dios, se encuentra el doctor Norval, el cual hace de buen samaritano. Este se encarga de Lola, ya que se lo prometio a su madre y esta dispuesto a cumplir su palabra. No es nada corrupto, se preocupa por Lola y tiene piedad de ella, cosa que probablemente no se veia mucho en ese tiempos y sobretodo hacia gente de color. El toma las decisiones de que hacer con el dinero que se les dio y quiere que Lola sea tratada como cualquier otro ser humano y no como un animal. Sin embargo, las tiene dificil ya que su esposa es lo opuesto a el. Hay un gran contraste entre estos dos personajes y uno se pregunta como el doctor Norval, un hombre puro y con buenas intenciones, se pudo haber casado con semajante mujer, una mujer ignorante, malvada e
hipócrita.

Hola clase,