I’ve been slowly collecting Persephone Books and have been introduced to some new authors. One of these is Dorothy Whipple (1893-1966) and she is Persephone Book’s best-selling author. Hard Wages is the author's second book, and these are my thoughts on that.
‘Experience doth take dreadfully high wages, but she teacheth like none other.’ – Carlyle
Jane Carter, an eighteen year old girl, goes to Tidsley market-place in Lancashire on her half-day off. She sees the owner of Chadwick’s drapery put a wanted notice in his window for a young lady assistant. Fed up with her current job and tired of living with her stepmother and her children, she applies for the position.
The story begins in 1912 and describes Mr Chadwick’s store as typical of the drapery shops of that period. Class distinctions are reflected in the clothes that people wear but ready-made clothes and other recent developments means that this will all change.
Young single women often lived-in their employer’s homes. They were poorly paid with part of their wages taken by their employer for board and lodging. The hours were long, the food inadequate and Jane, like other young women in the industry, was always hungry.
Mrs Chadwick was rather mean. Not excessively so; but just mean enough to add interest to her days. She enjoyed exerting her ingenuity in the provision, for the girls, of suppers that did not cost more than threepence a head. She was adept at ringing the changes on cheap food. It was nice to think, too, that the tasty little suppers she took with Mr. Chadwick upstairs were justified by the economies she practised downstairs.
Mr Briggs was a man who had risen in society and was enjoying his elevated status. Known as a judge of cotton staple, he understood the trade thoroughly had been asked into partnership with Mr Greenwood. Mr Greenwood’s wife was the autocrat of Tidsley and Jane had the misfortune of getting on the wrong side of this woman. Mrs Briggs felt out of her league with the changes that her husband’s sudden rise in society brought. She had no confidence and the autocrat didn’t make life any easier for her. Mr Chadwick took his cues from Mrs Greenwood, pandered to her whims and went out of his way to try to please her. He had no time for Mrs Briggs as he toadied to Mrs Greenwood in everything. One day Mrs Briggs ventured into Chadwick’s drapery. She had no idea of what suited her, but Jane with her eye for style and her helpful and kind suggestions, impressed her. This was the beginning of a friendship that enabled Jane to open her own dress shop later on.
One of Dorothy Whipple’s greatest strengths is that she was a supremely moral novelist. ‘She cared so much about people, about her characters, and this intense involvement, compassion and insight is what makes her writing so irresistible.’
Friendships play a large part in the story. Misunderstandings in relationships, jealousy and the effects of war (in this case, World War I) are explored. I loved that Jane was introduced to literature and stimulating discussions through a friendship. Whipple was a contemporary of H.G. Wells (1866-1946) and Arnold Bennett (1867-1931) and both authors were mentioned in the novel. Jane was introduced to Bennett’s Old Wives’ Tale by a friend.
The train came in, filling the station with clouds of white smoke of strange, tumultuous beauty.
Jane’s days were now like a succession of crammed cupboards that would not shut on their contents. Things fell out in miscellaneous confusion and had to be picked up and put into the next cupboard, from which they fell out again and so on until they positively had to be attended to.
A very enjoyable book that I think would have had a very different ending if a modern author had written it. It is realistic but hopeful and I agree with the observation above that Whipple was a supremely moral writer. Like her wonderful Someone at a Distance she provides a redemptive pathway while appreciating that actions do have consequences. I’ll certainly be looking for more of her books.
No comments:
Post a Comment