Floralegia from Chapter 8
Jul. 12th, 2020 10:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pobble_readsThe two sparklets I have found from this chapter are:
and
There was a thick warm rug in front of the fire where Gobbolino might tuck in his paws and drowsily watch their play
and
The Lord Mayor with his pockets full of sugar-plums stopped the little boys tears and Gobbolino once again heard their joyful cries as he left the courtyard and trotted out into the wide world
no subject
Date: 2020-07-12 10:24 pm (UTC)Come from near the beginning of the chapter in the descriptions of the comforts and wonders of the Lord Mayors House. First of all there is a description of all the wonderful things there are for the Brothers (including a golden cradle for the baby which seems like fairy tale levels of luxury) and then this sense-rich description of how perfect a home it is for Gobbolino (or at least would be if only the Lady Mayoress had liked cats). Gobbolino has often talked about looking for a home with a place for him by the fire and here there’s not only a place but there’s also the deep comfort of this rug under his paws. I was struck with how amazing that must feel after all the walking he has had to do in his search for a home. And even though this is a place of comfort and rest for him he can still ge close to the Children he loves so much and keep up with his caring role for them in much more relaxed and safer circumstances.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-12 10:31 pm (UTC)Is the penultimate sentence of the chapter. Even though I’m bemused by the swift mood changes of small children I’m so very glad that the Brothers have such a genourous and caring new father who is prepared with excellent treats for when they are needed and acts swiftly when he sees that the children are distressed. I was tempted to just pick the first part of the sentence because it’s a powerful image but I wanted to include Gobbolino hearing the reassuring sound of the Brothers happily playing again. He knows that they will be secure and loved now even though he is homeless and alone again. And he knows he has successfully fulfilled his transitional role and not abandoned these children Who he first met when they were bereaved and desperate. I’m not sure how much of a comfort that can be when he is facing an uncertain future but it’s obviously important to him.
Putting them together
Date: 2020-07-12 10:43 pm (UTC)Put together like this I am struck by the image if Gobbolino as an observer. He isn’t passive and certainly isn’t Indifferent or but he is no longer playing the active role in caring for the Brothers that he had to When he first met them. If he had stayed in this home it would have been in semi-retirement (and I wonder if that would have suited him for long). At first gets to drowse and watch the children play (which sounds lovely) and then even when he has to leave he is still listening out wanting to be sure that they are happy and well cared for.
I’m glad that Gobbolino gets to see and hear the Brothers being happy. I still wish that they had seen or heard his struggles a bit more clearly (not in a taking their happy childhood innocence away way but hoping that they would develop more accurate and aware empathy for this cat who they obviously care for). I’m glad that the Brothers now have a home filled with so many good feeling and tasting things - and a adult who is helping them through an emotionally difficult experience. But thinking about the comfortable ness and luxury of this house makes me even sadder that a Gobbolino has to leave it.
Re: Putting them together
Date: 2020-07-12 11:04 pm (UTC)Put this way round it seems like a much happier story! As if Gobbolino has stepped out of the courtyard and straight into a rug by the fire. Going from actively walking and listening to slightly more passively from the rug feels like Gobbolino is winding down to sleep. I love the idea of him feeling secure enough that the Brothers are well cared for and he doesn’t have to be taking responsibility in this moment (he also doesn’t have to responsible for banking the fire safely before he sleeps) so this speaks of being part of a well-functionIng network of mutual support and care.
It also makes me think of some of the nicest parts of the exhausting and often mundane and repetitive work of catering for small children. It feels good to see and hear them being happy and it feels particularly good when you can help them smile again after they have been upset.
This makes me think about the amount of responsibility that Gobbolino has taken on/had forced on him when he is still really a kitten himself and how emotionally mature he has had to be during the events of this chapter. He needs and deserves care himself..
But mostly I’m getting the impression of treats and suggleyness - maybe in this reading then after they have finished their game one or more of the children will join Gobbolino drowsing on the rug in comfort and physical and emotional security, enjoying being family together in their shared home?