High Society, Part 3
November 20th 2006 12:32
Well, this is my last post on this book, but it is about my favourite character, Jessie.
A pur wee scotch lassie, Jessie left her hoose after her step da’ began tae molest her. Okay, I will stop that now. Jessie’s story is at both times the most tragic and yet the most uplifting. In fact, without her story, the book would not have been as good. It would have lacked that poetry that makes us stop and think, or even cry because it shows us something pure and wonderful that the world would be not darker without, but certainly a good deal more dull.
Jessie’s story is a poetic tale of a girl that is forced from her home by a man forcing himself upon her. Her quest for identity, or at least an identity that is worth having, takes her to London where she is quickly picked up by a pimp that gets her addicted to heroin. Her story is told in gutter scotch, with poetically shaped swearing and cursing, never dull or stereotypical, but authentic and ringing with truth. But despite the poetry that her character exposes, she also exposes a truth that should rightfully awake the social conscience within us all. With her story Mr Elton brings to light some of the darkest issues of our society. Forced prostitution and its connection to the drug trade, are highlighted repeatedly in this book and most poignantly in Jessie’s story. It makes you wonder how far we haven’t come since the days when slaves were legally unloaded at the docks. Most powerful example of this is a diatribe of her own, delivered after she tells us of the death of one of the girls, who had been enslaved and had been killed by her enslavers “Ah know now that is was the f^&kin’ law that nearly killed me. The law that not only put me outside proper society but also created a criminal society that was jus’ itchin’ tae scoop me up.”…..”And poor, poor Maria, buried along with her name, somewhere on the outside, in a river or a ditch. Placed on the outside by failed laws. Hey, they say that justice is blind, well, ain’t that the f^&kin’ truth.”
But this would not have been a Ben Elton book if it didn’t have that optimism that goes beyond a good attitude. It has that soul deep optimism, that reminds us of every good and worthwhile thing that lifts us, that makes life worth living even when it isn’t. Jessie’s soul, despite her condition, speaks to her in one blinding flash during the time she is going cold turkey while working as a brothel slave, pushed to the limits of her endurance. She sees herself when she can remember herself at her purest, as a ten year old gymnast.
The girl above was ten years old. Her smile shone out like a beacon of hope, her eyes flashed with such energy and promise that people felt happier about themselves merely standing in her gaze. Here was a life on the brink of splendid things, a life force ready to illuminate any world it chose to conquer.
The girl below was a hundred if she was a day. A century’s worth of pain had dulled her sparkling eyes and sunk them in their sockets like two small graves.
The girl above had freckles on her nose, rosy cheeks and ribbons in her shiny, red-flashed chestnut hair.
The girl below was ghostly white and sickly. Light as air. Her ribs showed through her pale skin. She had not menstruated in six months.
The girl above was ten years old.
The girl below probably thought she was not yet eighteen.
“Think of the sunshine, Jessie, remember the sunshine. We used tae love the sun.”
“The sun never shines in Scotland, Jessie.”
“Yes it does, it shone on us. Remember, the display? Three handsprings an’ a full somersault. Flip flip flip whoosh! And everybody cheered! We were on before the fire brigade and the brass band, and then we were in the band too! We threw our marching uniform on over our leotard and played “Scotland the Brave” and “Ali’s Tartan Army”! Remember the crowd, Jessie? Remember the sun? It shone on our coronet and on our epaulets. Hold on Jessie, Jessie! Hold on! It can shine on us again.”
If not for Jessie, I would not have read this book. It would not have been worth it.
JoshZ
A pur wee scotch lassie, Jessie left her hoose after her step da’ began tae molest her. Okay, I will stop that now. Jessie’s story is at both times the most tragic and yet the most uplifting. In fact, without her story, the book would not have been as good. It would have lacked that poetry that makes us stop and think, or even cry because it shows us something pure and wonderful that the world would be not darker without, but certainly a good deal more dull.
Jessie’s story is a poetic tale of a girl that is forced from her home by a man forcing himself upon her. Her quest for identity, or at least an identity that is worth having, takes her to London where she is quickly picked up by a pimp that gets her addicted to heroin. Her story is told in gutter scotch, with poetically shaped swearing and cursing, never dull or stereotypical, but authentic and ringing with truth. But despite the poetry that her character exposes, she also exposes a truth that should rightfully awake the social conscience within us all. With her story Mr Elton brings to light some of the darkest issues of our society. Forced prostitution and its connection to the drug trade, are highlighted repeatedly in this book and most poignantly in Jessie’s story. It makes you wonder how far we haven’t come since the days when slaves were legally unloaded at the docks. Most powerful example of this is a diatribe of her own, delivered after she tells us of the death of one of the girls, who had been enslaved and had been killed by her enslavers “Ah know now that is was the f^&kin’ law that nearly killed me. The law that not only put me outside proper society but also created a criminal society that was jus’ itchin’ tae scoop me up.”…..”And poor, poor Maria, buried along with her name, somewhere on the outside, in a river or a ditch. Placed on the outside by failed laws. Hey, they say that justice is blind, well, ain’t that the f^&kin’ truth.”
But this would not have been a Ben Elton book if it didn’t have that optimism that goes beyond a good attitude. It has that soul deep optimism, that reminds us of every good and worthwhile thing that lifts us, that makes life worth living even when it isn’t. Jessie’s soul, despite her condition, speaks to her in one blinding flash during the time she is going cold turkey while working as a brothel slave, pushed to the limits of her endurance. She sees herself when she can remember herself at her purest, as a ten year old gymnast.
The girl above was ten years old. Her smile shone out like a beacon of hope, her eyes flashed with such energy and promise that people felt happier about themselves merely standing in her gaze. Here was a life on the brink of splendid things, a life force ready to illuminate any world it chose to conquer.
The girl below was a hundred if she was a day. A century’s worth of pain had dulled her sparkling eyes and sunk them in their sockets like two small graves.
The girl above had freckles on her nose, rosy cheeks and ribbons in her shiny, red-flashed chestnut hair.
The girl below was ghostly white and sickly. Light as air. Her ribs showed through her pale skin. She had not menstruated in six months.
The girl above was ten years old.
The girl below probably thought she was not yet eighteen.
“Think of the sunshine, Jessie, remember the sunshine. We used tae love the sun.”
“The sun never shines in Scotland, Jessie.”
“Yes it does, it shone on us. Remember, the display? Three handsprings an’ a full somersault. Flip flip flip whoosh! And everybody cheered! We were on before the fire brigade and the brass band, and then we were in the band too! We threw our marching uniform on over our leotard and played “Scotland the Brave” and “Ali’s Tartan Army”! Remember the crowd, Jessie? Remember the sun? It shone on our coronet and on our epaulets. Hold on Jessie, Jessie! Hold on! It can shine on us again.”
If not for Jessie, I would not have read this book. It would not have been worth it.
JoshZ
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Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Comment by JoshZ
In public.
Surrounded by people I know.
I still cry when I read it or think of it. It touches my soul.
JZ
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
When I can I will read this book Josh.
"If not for Jessie, I would not have read this book. It would not have been worth it."
And I will hold on to your words....
Josh...today/tonight you have made me laugh and made me cry. Thank you my friend.
Dusk
Comment by JoshZ
I sometimes have trouble trying to read it, but I have gotten past the point of tearing up. I told a friend of mine what it meant to me, and I was almost bawling my eyes out. Not a good idea when driving.
Making people laugh or cry often makes them think and feel. Not bad things to do.
See you again soon I hope.
JZ
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Just had to read this again.
Lucky I'm not driving...
Much joy to you and yours, JZ my sweet friend
Dusk
Comment by JoshZ
I am glad that now and then I can do a great book justice.
It bothers me when I can't.
Health and joy to yours sister,
JZ
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by JoshZ
He did shape up extremely well towards the end.
That also makes the two lines of dialogue (via a note from Robbie and Tommy's reaction to it) alot funnier.
Thanks for dropping on by.
JZ