Kerry has been a teacher and an administrator for more than twenty years. She has a Master of Education degree.
What are some of the indicators of an abusive relationship? Thanks to modern psychology, many people know to be wary of someone who is controlling, attempts to isolate you from your friends or family, or is intolerant of other's thoughts and opinions.
This was not the case in 1907 when The Shuttle by Frances Hodson Burnett was published. As a result, many women of that period found themselves trapped in unhealthy or dangerous marriages, leaving their bewildered families wondering why their daughter disappeared from their lives. This was the case with the protagonist, Rosalie Vanderpoel, and her husband, Sir Nigel Anstruthers. Let's find out more about this story.
While the story itself is about the Vanderpoels and the Anstruthers, the relationship between the United States serves as an undercurrent for The Shuttle. The title refers to the ships that travel between the U.S. East Coast and England. The political power shift that occurred in the years just before this book was written are symbolized through the relationships between these families.
Even though the colonies won their independence from Great Britain in the late 1700s, Britain was still considered a superpower, while the United States was just starting to establish itself. However, by the late 1800s, the U.S. economy emerged as a clear victor. British colonialism prompted the U.S. to build its military and become more assertive on the world stage. In regards to the difficult history between these two countries, the narrator writes:
''Those who had rebelled against that which their souls called tyranny, having struggled madly and shed blood in tearing themselves free, turned stern backs upon their unconquered enemies, broke all cords that bound them to the past, flinging off ties of name, kinship and rank, beginning with fierce disdain a new life.''
Socially, the countries began to reunite through travel and companionship. Wealthy American women were attracted to the titles, accent, and romanticized visions of castles owned by Englishmen. Englishmen were attracted to the dowries of American women that could potentially restore their crumbling estates. Thus, Rosalie marries Nigel and moves to England.
When Rosalie meets Nigel, she does not recognize his faults. However, her 8-year-old sister, Bettina, immediately sees trouble ahead. Nigel is annoyed by Bettina's American upbringing. Bettina fights back and warns her sister that she shouldn't marry Nigel. ''He'll do something awful to you.''
As Bettina suspects, as soon as they return to London and Nigel learns that Rosalie's father has put her in charge of her own money, rather than turning it over to him, Nigel and his mother begin systematically abusing Rosalie in hopes that she will learn her lesson about her proper role as his wife. His narcissism does not enable him to go to his wife to ask for what he needs. Rather, he resents her for not realizing her place, while Rosalie is bewildered by his behavior.
Nigel and his mother make fun of her Americanism, charity, and clothing. When Rosalie learns that Nigel has intercepted letters between Rosalie and her parents, and even refused to allow them to visit while they were in Europe, she confronts him, but is physically abused.
The Vanderpoels are shocked that Rosalie has distanced herself from them, but Bettina suspects it is not Rosalie's fault. Bettina becomes even more convinced of this after spending time at a school in France and learning about others who have been in English-American marriages. Believing that Rosalie is potentially being held away from her family against her will, Bettina decides to make a surprise visit to Rosalie's home to investigate the situation.
Fortunately, when she arrives, Nigel is not home. Bettina finds that the castle is dilapidated, Rosalie appears unkempt and mentally unstable, and two of Rosalie's three children have died. Bettina realizes that ''it would not do in the least to drag her suddenly out of her prison, or cloister, whichsoever it might be. To do so would be like forcing a creature accustomed only to darkness, to stare at the blazing sun.'' Instead, Bettina decides to stay in the home and help make some repairs.
During Bettina's stay, she restores Rosalie's social standing in the community. Bettina meets Lord Mount Dunstan, an Englishman who has fallen on hard times, but unlike Nigel, he does not intend to marry a wealthy American to change his circumstances. When Nigel returns, he is upset to find Bettina in his home and his wife well. He attempts to control Bettina like he has Rosalie. Bettina escapes and turns to Dunstan, who settles the issue by fighting Nigel. At the end of the story, Rosalie is reunited with her family, Dunstan and Bettina fall in love, and Nigel dies.
The Shuttle is the story of the marriage of Rosalie Vanderpoel, an American heiress, to Sir Nigel Anstruthers, a narcissistic Englishman who married her for her money. After taking her to England and learning that Rosalie's father gave his daughter control of her own finances, Nigel becomes abusive and isolates Rosalie from her family. While Rosalie's parents are hurt by the estrangement, Bettina, Rosalie's sister, suspects Nigel is responsible.
When Bettina arranges a surprise visit, she finds her sister a shell of her former being and living in shambles. As Nigel is out of town, Bettina stays to nurse her sister back to health, reinstate her position in society, and make repairs to the home. She also meets Lord Mount Dunstan.
When Nigel returns, he is unhappy with the improvements Bettina has made to his home and family. He attempts to control Bettina as he controlled his wife. However, Dunstan steps in and fights Nigel on Bettina's behalf. Rosalie reunites with her family. Dunstan and Bettina fall in love. Nigel dies in the end.
The Shuttle also explains the awkwardness of the relationship between the United States and England. At this time, the U.S. is emerging as a superpower while the British Empire shrinks.
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9th Grade English: Help and Review19 chapters | 318 lessons | 1 flashcard set
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