At the beginning of the novel, one or two people expressed a sense of dislike with regards to Maurice, something I never felt. Until now. Much as he is a dear character, I feel that he has somehow betrayed what he and Alec had together in the Russet Room by showing Alec's letter to Lasker Jones, who then burns it.
Agh.
That is a bit on the book which always twists my heart. I'd quite like to slap Maurice at that point, but the poor chap's main emotion I think throughout these particular chapters is complete and utter panic. He runs away, the full enormity of what he's done hanging over him and when Alec writes, Maurice completely misunderstands. He's also filled with disgust with himself that he acted on nothing but carnal instincts when Alec came to his bed the night before. Up until the moment at the cricket match when Alec didn't clap, I think Maurice had been riding on the concept of Alec being The Friend. And, however much they played together on the pitch, when the outside world starts to invade, then Maurice is reminded of class, which was a hugely important concept at the time of the book being written.
Alec's insubordination at not clapping I think panics Maurice into believing that Alec may not treat Maurice with respect in the outside world, and obviously the threat of blackmail is very real to him, especially as that is how he interprets Alec's letter.
As for the letters themselves. I think Alec has grasped the concept of 'friend' by this time, and he has fully understood what Maurice was saying when he asked Alec if he'd ever had a friend. Also, I think through Maurice's other actions and words, both those we read in the book and whatever else passed between them that night, Alec has come to his own conclusion about what Maurice means to him. Spurred on by this, and realising he has somehow, rather annoyingly probably, fallen in love for the first time, I don't think he has any other option but to write to Maurice.
He isn't a man who is afraid to express himself, he certainly wasn't afraid to come to Maurice's room, albeit only because he was leaving the country and had nothing to loose in the long term. If it had gone badly, he could just hole up somewhere. But, Alec has a lot of bravery about him, and his feelings for Maurice are such that he just can't let him go away without Alec trying to see him again.
Finally, about the 'I have a key'. Alec certainly does - he has the key to Maurice's feelings and thoughts, and Maurice knows this...which must absolutely and utterly terrify him. Alec knows him for who he is, not superficially like Risley or Clive, but very deeply I think.
no subject
Agh.
That is a bit on the book which always twists my heart. I'd quite like to slap Maurice at that point, but the poor chap's main emotion I think throughout these particular chapters is complete and utter panic. He runs away, the full enormity of what he's done hanging over him and when Alec writes, Maurice completely misunderstands. He's also filled with disgust with himself that he acted on nothing but carnal instincts when Alec came to his bed the night before. Up until the moment at the cricket match when Alec didn't clap, I think Maurice had been riding on the concept of Alec being The Friend. And, however much they played together on the pitch, when the outside world starts to invade, then Maurice is reminded of class, which was a hugely important concept at the time of the book being written.
Alec's insubordination at not clapping I think panics Maurice into believing that Alec may not treat Maurice with respect in the outside world, and obviously the threat of blackmail is very real to him, especially as that is how he interprets Alec's letter.
As for the letters themselves. I think Alec has grasped the concept of 'friend' by this time, and he has fully understood what Maurice was saying when he asked Alec if he'd ever had a friend. Also, I think through Maurice's other actions and words, both those we read in the book and whatever else passed between them that night, Alec has come to his own conclusion about what Maurice means to him. Spurred on by this, and realising he has somehow, rather annoyingly probably, fallen in love for the first time, I don't think he has any other option but to write to Maurice.
He isn't a man who is afraid to express himself, he certainly wasn't afraid to come to Maurice's room, albeit only because he was leaving the country and had nothing to loose in the long term. If it had gone badly, he could just hole up somewhere. But, Alec has a lot of bravery about him, and his feelings for Maurice are such that he just can't let him go away without Alec trying to see him again.
Finally, about the 'I have a key'. Alec certainly does - he has the key to Maurice's feelings and thoughts, and Maurice knows this...which must absolutely and utterly terrify him. Alec knows him for who he is, not superficially like Risley or Clive, but very deeply I think.