Very good question, I think. Both Alice and Miss Muffet came from times when, I believe, relationships between people of the same sex, however close, were assumed to be platonic. Any actions which would contradict that would never be done, unless alone, even by married couples. (‘Displays of affection’ which were common in public even when I was in college (back when we rode dinosaurs to class, ya know) would have been scandalous in the 1800’s.) But… our heroes know the way things work today, and how they integrate those differences is a question mostly unanswered, at least so far. I would guess that Miss Muffet, who isn’t old enough to have the hormones that power the sexual side of these affections, sees Goldie’s and Cindy’s relation as simple affection, similar to the way she feels about her own friends (girls or boys). Alice is older here than in her stories and may well see the sexual side of Goldie and Cindy’s attraction. Not having been taught that that is wrong, she would probably accept it without much thought. (Gretel seems to see love between them, paying no attention to gender at all. It seems that our youngest generation is much closer to Gretel’s viewpoint than those before them, and I say that’s good.)
Cindy, as you pointed out earlier, is bound to her tale, and by that to her prince, which limits her relationship to Goldie quite strongly. We don’t know whether they will remember these experiences (or anything from our world) at all – at least not yet. If they remember, Cindy could play out the original story, then go looking for Goldie (her other true love?), bring her back, and as princess and later queen ensure that everything is finally ‘just right’. Having learned about polyamory, Cindy, Goldie, and the Prince could ‘live happily ever after’ as a threesome.
OK, I’m really pushing it there, but depending on several factors (which I have no way of knowing) it IS a possibility. Probably the strongest argument against is that there may be a sizable number of readers who would not like such an outcome. But, since this would not happen until the end of the story, when the mirror has been completely repaired, that might not matter.
Interesting take:) I can say that Miss Muffet, like my 9 year old daughter, is more than familiar with what it means when two women kiss or hold hands in public. Same thing with two men — but that Miss Muffet has a heap a lotta other things to worry about right now. Alice, who is naturally drawn to disagree with anything Goldie says or does, has her brain immediately take note of these little instances and, though surprised, I think it is half because it appears to be the start of a same-sex relationship and half because, well, it’s Goldie who only appeared to “love” herself and shiny perfect things. Alice’s take on the matter almost falls under the category of “Ew, gross.” as kids are prone to do, though she is a preteen/ twelve-ish.
Sometimes the reactions of SHARDS characters are mixed, even in a single individual, as they come to grips with initial reactions and with their age within their story vs. what they know based on having access to modern knowledge because of their personal shard. Dorothy is/are one of the few characters who this just rolls off her/their backs like a duck with water. She’s/They’re the most un-changed emotionally and most changed physically.
And, as far as your guesses, a lot will be revealed toward the climax of Ch. 4! I can’t wait! TB and I discussed the whole thing over our vacation and ironed out important details. Some little bits are actually put into this SHARDS journal, which was imperative to finish before starting Ch. 4.
Blame TB for this one. It was his idea. And though Goldie doesn’t usually show much aside from disgust and disdain for her comrades, with everything that’s happened in this mission, it can’t be helped. Some stuff shows through.
Loading ...
Hansel may want to ignore the romantic pairings of Goldie and Cindy, but Gretel is a romantic at heart. A true shipping fan that Gretel.
However now I cannot help, but wonder what do Alice and Miss Muffet think of this romantic moment between Cindy and Goldie ?
Too right you are, Marcus:)
Very good question, I think. Both Alice and Miss Muffet came from times when, I believe, relationships between people of the same sex, however close, were assumed to be platonic. Any actions which would contradict that would never be done, unless alone, even by married couples. (‘Displays of affection’ which were common in public even when I was in college (back when we rode dinosaurs to class, ya know) would have been scandalous in the 1800’s.) But… our heroes know the way things work today, and how they integrate those differences is a question mostly unanswered, at least so far. I would guess that Miss Muffet, who isn’t old enough to have the hormones that power the sexual side of these affections, sees Goldie’s and Cindy’s relation as simple affection, similar to the way she feels about her own friends (girls or boys). Alice is older here than in her stories and may well see the sexual side of Goldie and Cindy’s attraction. Not having been taught that that is wrong, she would probably accept it without much thought. (Gretel seems to see love between them, paying no attention to gender at all. It seems that our youngest generation is much closer to Gretel’s viewpoint than those before them, and I say that’s good.)
Cindy, as you pointed out earlier, is bound to her tale, and by that to her prince, which limits her relationship to Goldie quite strongly. We don’t know whether they will remember these experiences (or anything from our world) at all – at least not yet. If they remember, Cindy could play out the original story, then go looking for Goldie (her other true love?), bring her back, and as princess and later queen ensure that everything is finally ‘just right’. Having learned about polyamory, Cindy, Goldie, and the Prince could ‘live happily ever after’ as a threesome.
OK, I’m really pushing it there, but depending on several factors (which I have no way of knowing) it IS a possibility. Probably the strongest argument against is that there may be a sizable number of readers who would not like such an outcome. But, since this would not happen until the end of the story, when the mirror has been completely repaired, that might not matter.
Interesting take:) I can say that Miss Muffet, like my 9 year old daughter, is more than familiar with what it means when two women kiss or hold hands in public. Same thing with two men — but that Miss Muffet has a heap a lotta other things to worry about right now. Alice, who is naturally drawn to disagree with anything Goldie says or does, has her brain immediately take note of these little instances and, though surprised, I think it is half because it appears to be the start of a same-sex relationship and half because, well, it’s Goldie who only appeared to “love” herself and shiny perfect things. Alice’s take on the matter almost falls under the category of “Ew, gross.” as kids are prone to do, though she is a preteen/ twelve-ish.
Sometimes the reactions of SHARDS characters are mixed, even in a single individual, as they come to grips with initial reactions and with their age within their story vs. what they know based on having access to modern knowledge because of their personal shard. Dorothy is/are one of the few characters who this just rolls off her/their backs like a duck with water. She’s/They’re the most un-changed emotionally and most changed physically.
And, as far as your guesses, a lot will be revealed toward the climax of Ch. 4! I can’t wait! TB and I discussed the whole thing over our vacation and ironed out important details. Some little bits are actually put into this SHARDS journal, which was imperative to finish before starting Ch. 4.
We all are shippers at heart. I didn’t thought it was that obvious for their teammates, though. Wasn’t Goldie the secretive one?
Blame TB for this one. It was his idea. And though Goldie doesn’t usually show much aside from disgust and disdain for her comrades, with everything that’s happened in this mission, it can’t be helped. Some stuff shows through.