Reply To: Poldark!

[Slurpeez]

Where to begin? Not surprisingly, I really enjoyed watching this series. Episode two sets the tone of the rivalry between several characters:

-Ross Poldark and George Warleggan
-Elizabeth Poldark (nee Chynoweth) and Demelza Carne
-Ross and Francis Poldark
-Francis and Captain Andrew Blamey
-Ross and Verity vs Francis and Charles (when it comes to Blamey)

Rivalry is both subtle and obvert in this episode. The duels of gentlemen were commonplace among the upper class during the 18th century, especially when it came to the “honor” of women. Verity, the lonely spinster, is the woman whose reputation is at stake. Whether or not Verity showed good sense in accepting the pursuit of Blamey is one thing, but whether Francis was foolhardy to challenge a navy captain such as Andrew Blamey is another thing indeed. Worse, Francis is showing he is not worthy as a new husband that he would risk his life so carelessly without regard for his new wife and unborn child. The hotheaded Francis is quickly disproving his competency as heir to his father’s estate and mine. Lacking his cousin Ross’ experience in the army, the assailable Francis shows poor and reckless judgement in picking a fight with an experienced man-at-arms. Francis, too impetuous, green, and incapable, shows he is ever inclined to be taken advantage of– something the conniving banker like George Warleggans is quick to assess.

George Warleggan is the son of a self-made man whose family’s less-than-honest banking tactics have a way of being the ruin of old, proud and prominent mine owners (as the start of the episode shows). The cunning Warleggans are shrewd-yet-dishonorable men whose methods of money-lending have led to the closing of mines all over Cornwall. Only Ross’ Uncle Charles’ mine, Grambler, remains open. Yet, as George is quick to pick up on, Francis is weak and no fit heir to Grambler. “These ancient families lack backbone.” George Warleggan is resentful and jealous of the family name Poldark, yet proud of his own father’s wealth. Though he may show a twinge of guilt about not extending a loan, his father is quick to remind George that they’re in the business of profit, not sentiment. As George soon discovers, however, not all men who share the family name of Poldark are cut from the same cloth.

Ross Poldark is everything his cousin Francis is not: a capable, honest, and business-savvy man of the world who is eager to prove himself. Ross has both the family name behind him, as well as the drive of the Warleggens to succeed. Yet, unlike the Warleggens family, Ross cares about the plight of the common man, and seeks to provide for his poorer tenants like Jim. Ross is a man of action who cannot afford to sit back and be idle like his cousin. Having seen war, been imprisoned, and orphaned, Ross is not entitled like his cousin, Francis. True, both cousins share the esteemed and ancient family name of Poldark, but Ross has inherited an estate in ruins, unlike Francis, whose father, Charles, still looms ever present over an in-tact and still profitable mining industry. Like Francis, Ross is passionate, but unlike his cousin, Ross shows far more regard for others and more common sense. He sets out to forge his own destiny. Ross cannot afford to be idle like Francis. He must earn his bread, for despite his privileged name, he is a man who is landed but without income.

Though both Poldark cousins take risks, they have very different tactics when it comes to making bets. Francis is a compulsive gambler who makes unwise bets and sinks into needless debt. Ross, on the other hand, isn’t a man of cards but of investment. Ross is determined to restore his father’s closed mine for in Cornwall, “mining is in the veins…’tis the bread of life.” Ross is motivated, willing to challenge the perceived notions of his day, and willing to help his good friend, Jim, who has neither family name nor fortune to elevate him. It’s true that Ross also can show a reckless abandon, such as when he hires a prostitute after being spurned by Elizabeth, but these flaws of impetuousness are tempered by very admirable aforementioned traits. As a former captain of the British army, Ross knows how to lead and how to inspire men. Not only does his name open doors to him in the upper branches of the community, but Poldark is also in touch with the common man. He is compassionate and understanding of Verity. Ross is also someone who is calm under pressure–something he learned on the battlefields of Virginia and which enabled Ross to save Francis’ life. Ross proves he puts family responsibility over any hard feelings Ross might have against Francis for marrying Elizabeth.

The women of the show also have an increasingly prominent role in the story. Though often seen at the margins, as women often were confined to the homestead in the late 18th century, Verity might be understood in light of her upbringing. As an unmarried daughter of a wealthy gentleman, Verity is in a delicate position. She cannot be expected to leave home without a husband, but nor can she earn her bread. She must remain at her father’s home, overseeing the household. As a spinster over the age of 23, she is a rank below her brother’s new wife, Elizabeth, and surely, Verity, plain as she is declared to be, cannot have much hope to escape the drudgery of her confinement through marriage. Though certainly of age, she cannot hope to overrule her father or her brother, for that matter, for he is to inherit and she is not (however better an heir she might in fact be). Is it any strange wonder that Verity jumps at the chance to be wed–whether or not the captain’s telling of his tragic background be true? It is a surprisingly quick courtship, but I suppose they fear disapproval. As it happens, the captain’s story of his first wife’s unintentional manslaughter rings true. Perhaps it is their loneliness, their mutual disappointment in love, that causes them to rush forward. Not to mention that the captain’s infamous history makes hims a less-than-desirable suitor in the eyes of Verity’s family. She is a Poldark after all, and cannot be expected to marry just anyone, even at her “advanced” age of 27 (or thereabouts). There is also that little thing about the captain killing his first wife to consider. Only Ross, who has also been convicted of a crime and lost a great love, seems willing to look past the mistake to try and understand the Captain Blamey’s true motives and help Verity.

As many high-born women of her day, Elizabeth shows she is ever the dutiful daughter and daughter-in-law who puts family expectations before her own heart. She is the quiet stoic type, ever a true lady who bears her disappointment in silence. She hardly ever reveals her true thoughts. Does Elizabeth still love Ross, the man to whom she was secretly engaged before he went to fight in the American War? Does she really love Francis, as she claims? She becomes engaged to Francis during the war when Ross is presumed dead. He returns in time to stop the wedding, but Elizabeth appears to spurn Ross (despite her apparent joy at his return), and she instead marries Francis. Why does she do this? After all, both men carry the coveted ancient family name of Poldark. And Elizabeth was after all the sweetheart of Ross before she was ever engaged to Francis. Yet, it would appear that Elizabeth had publicly declared her betrothal to Francis yet kept her prior understanding with Ross a secret. Therefore, as a woman, she is under a certain legal obligation to proceed with the marriage to Francis, lest her father’s good name and her reputation be ruined. Her father would then be expected to pay a sum to Charles Poldark for a broken betrothal. Moreover, Francis has his father’s wealth to inherit whereas Ross’ father has died penniless and his estate in shambles. In the eyes of Elizabeth’s family, Ross does not seem quite as good a catch as he might once have, being barely able to keep a roof over his head. A great lady like Elizabeth cannot be expected to go from riches to rags. Yet, something tells me Elizabeth may regret her choice of husband.

Then there is the loveable and surprisingly strong-willed street urchin Demelza, the daughter of nobody in particular, whose large, impoverished family have left her uncared for and in literal rags. She has no where else to go except to Ross. His compassion on a poor young woman prompts him to take her in and to employ her as his kitchen maid, providing her shelter and food. She knows her place, and her place is beside him, as she is quick to point out. Ross is the first person who’s ever paid her much heed, and as such, the young Demelza is, of course, drawn to him. Perchance she may in fact, also have taken a fancy to her her handsome, young and very unmarried benefactor who literally rescued her. He provided her with a home and sense of belonging that she’s been lacking all of her life. And despite barely being able to afford to keep a roof over his own head, Ross brought Demelza a beautiful cloak to boot–the nicest garment she’s probably ever worn let alone owned. She, in turn, is ever capable, loyal, quick-to-learn and not afraid to get her hands dirty. I look forward to their budding relationship, whether as master-servant, or as something more?