“Where there is love, there is freedom.” (Loc. 4725)
If love could conquer all, then this historical fiction would have had a very different ending, and maybe our country’s history. It’s a little weird knowing that Washington did not marry Miss Phillipse. What’s not weird is why. A country racing into a revolution, alliances being made, sides being taken. Loyalist? Patriot? Elitism. Privilege. Wealth.
What Washington wanted to attain was at direct odds with the cause of the Revolution. Breaking into the “…high sphere of society…” (Loc. 3540) Being respected by his English brethren. Being manipulated by those same brethren. The wealthy elite had to choose carefully on how to play their loyalties…which would ensure that they are able to maintain there status and wealth? Do they dare gamble their way of life on an unknown outcome for the Patriots? And, just for good measure, throw a budding love affair into the mix. Washington made choices that changed the trajectory of his life.
Mary Eliza Phillpse - society belle, manipulated by her family. What was to be her destiny? What was broken about her worked for her and against her. Her choices surprised me. Not sure if this novel had a happily-ever-after ending. It does make me wonder how Miss Phillipse must have felt to learn that George Washington became our first President of the United States of America.
No comments:
Post a Comment