A batch of bachelors?

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A batch of bachelors?

Post by Yak »

There seem to be quite a lot of unmarried adult men in Blyton's books and I wonder why? Take Chief whatever he is Jenks, for instance - he must be in his mid to late forties at least but is apparently unmarried and childless. Bill Smugs is another who did not marry untill he was, I presume, at least early forties. And then there's Goon ... although I think his unmarried state is probably more self explanatory ;).
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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by Rob Houghton »

Maybe its a subconscious thing on Enid's part - as she seemed to be attracted to older men...? I've always felt that had something to do with the character of Bill Smugs, anyway - a fantasy figure, rather like Kenneth obviously was for her, and also Hugh, when she was younger.
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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by Courtenay »

I don't think I ever really noticed or thought about it as a child, quite frankly — the focus of Enid's books, after all, is nearly always on the child characters and the grown-ups only come into the story when needed. I doubt Enid intended for the marital status of the adult characters to be of any significance, except in the case of Bill Smugs where of course he ends up marrying Allie. As Inspector Jenks usually only comes into the Find-Outers stories towards the end to tie up the mystery, there's not much about his personal life that's important to the plots... and yes, I agree Goon's lack of a love life is probably self-explanatory. :P
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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by Yak »

Poor Goon .. maybe he'd have been happier with someone to love him and laugh at his jokes.
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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by Rob Houghton »

Are we sure there isn't a 'Mrs Jenks'? I thought she was mentioned on a couple of occasions, but maybe I'm wrong? :?

I do tend to think Bill Smugs was Enid's 'fantasy' character. he was the sort of man Enid obviously found exciting, attractive, dynamic, etc. I think I've said before that the way Blyton writes about Bill is very similar to how Daphne DuMaurier wrote about Maxim - who was supposedly based on her own husband Major Tommy “Boy” Browning. I tend to think Enid put many of her feelings about her second husband into her descriptions of Bill. :-)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
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Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by sixret »

True, Rob. It is called love.
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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by Rob Houghton »

I think she finally found love, and it shows in some of her books - her outlook changes slightly. With Hugh, I don't think she really had any real love at all.
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by Yak »

I don't remember any mention of a Mrs Jenks ... anyone else? :)
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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by Daisy »

I don't recall a Mrs Jenks being mentioned, but are we just thinking about main series or individual books? If the latter I would guess the majority of men mentioned are unmarried - Block, Mr Barling for two. We don't think of the baddies having a cosy home life!
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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by pete9012S »

Daisy wrote: We don't think of the baddies having a cosy home life!
Image

A good point Daisy. I was thinking of Red Tower, and I struggled to envision him sitting contentedly by the fireplace, smoking a pipe, with a cat on his lap and a mug of cocoa to hand.
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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by John Pickup »

What about the spinsters? Miss Pepper springs to mind.
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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by Rob Houghton »

I guess women like Miss Pepper were still single because they were career-minded? I don't think many teachers or governesses would have continued their careers after they got married - so many remained spinsters. Perhaps no one snapped Miss Pepper up - which is a shame - she would have been just the type to fuss around Inspector Jenks, get his tea on the table, and his slippers warmed by the fire... ;-)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by Courtenay »

Rob Houghton wrote:Perhaps no one snapped Miss Pepper up - which is a shame - she would have been just the type to fuss around Inspector Jenks, get his tea on the table, and his slippers warmed by the fire... ;-)
There's gotta be a continuation novel there somewhere. :mrgreen: :wink:
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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by sixret »

A worthy idea. :wink: :wink: :wink:
I stand with justice and the truth. Palestine will be free from the river to the sea.

Learn the history. Do research.

The hypocrisy, double standard, prejudice and bigotry own by some people is so obvious.Shame on them!
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Re: A batch of bachelors?

Post by Wolfgang »

Rob Houghton wrote:I guess women like Miss Pepper were still single because they were career-minded?
Maybe she never had the opportunity and had to provide for herself. 2 World wars can do this kind of thing.
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