Monday 12 March 2012

What I Love About Margaret


The first time I saw Margaret I thought that she had a frank dignity about her. Her dress and shawl were simple but she wore them with the same poise as the queen, when she wears her regalia. She was a creature unlike any other I had encountered before and I was captivated by her.
I worried that I did not make any such favourable impression; more a rough hewn, taciturn manufacturer.

My opinion of her grew as different facets of her personality were shown to me.

First I saw her softer side and playfulness as she allowed her father to use her fingers as sugar tongues.

Next I saw her compassion as she continued to help the strikers. I also witnessed her courage to continue helping those in need, despite scorn from others in our society.

Finally I saw her bravery as she stepped between me and the rioters, risking her life to save mine. The fact that she was indifferent to me at that time only made the gesture even more profound, for who risks danger for one they do not like?

It's impossible to pick one single reason for why I love her but it's safe to say that the moment we first touched, as she handed me a cup and saucer, was the moment that I knew my heart belonged to her.


Follow the chain forward to JoAnn

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14 comments:

  1. Margaret, book or TV, is a beautiful character.

    fitzg

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  2. Lovely - thank you! I never get tired of North & South - it was such a beautiful work. I agree with you and Fitzg above - Margaret is a wonderful character ... courageous and caring.

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    1. Daniela Denby Ashe certainly did justice to the wonder that is Margaret.

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  3. North & South is a beautiful story, both in the book and in the BBC adaptation. And John Thornton was my first meeting with the wonderful talent that is Richard Armitage.
    I was always sorry that we did not get to see what happened next, how Margaret and John started their lives together. So, I'm enjoying this blog very much! Thank you!

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  4. What a beautiful tribute to Margaret, thank you, sir.

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  5. This is a very touching account of the love Mr. Thornton had for Margaret.

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  6. LOL. This so not how I tend to read North & South. However, I can concede the appeal :) It's nice that you're so in love, Mr. Thornton.

    Open ID won't let me comment

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    1. Each reader or viewer takes something unique from the same body of work, so much so that at times it hardly seems to matter what the original intent was.

      If a writer intendeds a story to be primarily a romance (for example) does it make the viewer who empathises with other aspects of that story wrong? I don't believe so.

      Many academics are still arguing today about the meaning behind many classics, despite (in some cases) the author clearly stating what the 'point' of the book was.

      Meaning, much like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

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  7. Oh Mr. Thornton,
    You are a true romantic. Your heartfelt love for and protection of Margaret was ultimately rewarded--in a lifetime of happiness together.
    Cheers! Grati ;->

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    1. And thank you for your kind words, Miss Lovelace.

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