More on the Cross Article

Another issue that Cross discusses in Gaudy Night is the “new-found equal love between men and women” (256). Clearly, this refers to the relationship between Peter Wimsey and Harriet. It can be thought of as an “equal love” because Harriet was an independent woman—an intellectual—who didn’t want to take the traditional role and simply be a wife and mother. She didn’t want a man to rule over her. Over the course of the novel, Harriet finally realizes and accepts that she is in love with Wimsey and wants to marry him (She reminds me of Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice because of her stubbornness to marry), thus creating an equal love in the sense that they're equal in partnership and that he won’t rule over her, which he has no intention of doing.

One thing I didn’t agree with was the fact that Cross believes that Wimsey “changes in the course of the novel.” Sure there is some growth in his character since he finally accepts the fact that Harriet may not ever marry him. Still throughout the novel he maintains a persona of a charming hero (like somewhat of Pride and Prejudices’s Mr. Collins with his excessive complements but with more wit and knowledge) who won’t take no for an answer and will keep waiting until Harriet finally decides to marry him. I don’t see much change in him because he was this way throughout the book, even going so far as to be overjoyed that Harriet allowed him to buy her an expensive chess set. Then again, this could be the result of the fact that throughout the novel, the reader only sees Wimsey through Harriet’s eyes, which Cross pointed out and I never realized before. He first appears in person about a half to three quarters of the way into the book. Before this point, the reader is only able to learn about him through Harriet’s thoughts (obviously a clear indication that she likes him since he’s always on her mind) and letters from him.

Another point that I didn’t realize while reading the story is the fact that Wimsey represents the “ideal man” and needs to marry Harriet because “metaphorically speaking, [she] killed and abandoned her lover when she outgrew him.” This is an interesting view on this point but hones in on the fact that Harriet is not your typical woman of the time, since this could be seen as unwomanly (the women are supposed to depend on the men, not outgrow their partner and stop loving him). Instead, Harriet is strong, heartless and independent instead.

Overall, I agree with Cross’s assessment and view on the novel: “by a strange insight…she [Sayers] told…a story similarly unique in its own culture, of a female hero coming to self-awareness and autonomy, and sharing equally with the male protagonist the perilous journey to self-development” (257). It’s about Harriet’s mental journey--she learns more about herself and is able to confront her feelings about marriage and love.