Please finish reading Daddy Long-Legs. This is another of my favorite books, and I think many English professors would be surprised how many people find this 100 year-old-book appealing. There was a stage version produced shortly after it was written. Somewhat later, there was a film version, and then another film version with Astaire that, while a fine movie, isn't even close to the book.
There are two different Indian movies based on the book, and a cute 40 episode (!) animated Japanese version of the story. There's also a recent musical version of the story. NSU put on a great version of the musical last summer with Emma Glover playing Jerusha and Mac Bruemmer playing Jervis.
How would you explain the wide-spread popularity of Jean Webster's story? Do you think Tolkien would regard the ending as a good example of eucatastrophe? Will you read this book again, or recommend it to others?
I think this story is so popular world-wide for a couple of reasons. Reason 1 being , who doesn't like a good love story? Reason 2 being the suspense of the story. The audience is constantly wondering who Daddy Long Legs is. All the while they are making guesses and looking for clues to figure out if they're right or not. For instance, I made several guesses before I figured it out. My imagination was wondering if Judy's benefactor was truly a relative of hers that felt he needed to take care of her after all her years in the asylum. At one point of the story I was convinced ther her friends were spies for her benefactor to be his eyes where he couldn't be. The point is that the audience is on the edge of their seat until the end, and that's makes "Daddy Long Legs" so popular and enduring to this day. I will definitely read again as well as recommend to others. -Reeba Sullivan
ReplyDeleteHi Ancient Art,
ReplyDeleteI have done some digging and found that this book is, as you already know, very popular. Jean Webster is a well known author and fadulous amongst readers. This book is certainly a heart sweller but everyone has their own idea about what a happy ending looks like. I would have to say it's a mixture of good and bad endings. Like it could end better, like finding out the identity of the daddy long legs. But other than that it is positively adorable book! It's one of those books you could add all sorts of fancy words to explain it, it was lovely. Jerusha Abbot is a young orphan girl who is given a chance to go to college, on the two requirements that she never learn the identity and that she write to him monthly.funny, delightful, charming. I loved it! It's one of my favorite books now!
Thank you,
Harmony Mariar
Tolkien would definitely say the ending of Daddy Long Legs was the ultimate eucatastrophe. Because you have to be one talented writer to turn letters into an exciting storyline fueled with twist, turns, and thrills. I’m glad Judy was able to meet Daddy Long Legs although she already knew him from a different name. Because the emotional attachment she must have felt sharing her life with another person via letters would have drove anyone to that person. That notion alone was driving me insane — because naturally one becomes emotionally attach to a person they speak to on a regular and on such an intimate note. So, I’m glad they were finally able to meet.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would definitely read this book again and again!