The Relationship between Peter and Richard
The relationship between Peter and Richard is a very strange and complicated one. It seems like there would be some fatal flaw in their relationship, with them both being in love with the same woman, even though Peter insists that he is no longer in love with Clarissa. However, they seem to both have very good views of each other, and seem to be very good friends. It seems strange to think that they both respect and enjoy each other's company with no feelings of contempt. This could make sense for Richard since one could say that he already won and married Clarissa but for Peter, it almost seems weird for him to hold no negative emotions towards Richard.
First, we need to look at Richard's section about Peter. He was told Peter had come during his lunch with Lady Bruton and instead of being worried or angry about Peter going to meet Clarissa alone, he seems not worried and even fond of him. In fact, it just makes him think that he should go home after lunch and tell Clarissa that he loves her, even though he chickens out at the last moment. Even later during the party, he shows no disdain for Peter and seems to enjoy having him around and talking to him.
Peter shows similar feelings toward Richard. At the beginning of the novel, he does say he doesn't like Clarissa being with Richard, but it does seem throughout the novel that the problem was more with the relationship and Clarissa having chosen Richard rather than with Richard himself. He even says Richard seems to him the best cabinet member since he was the most disinterested. He seems to me to hate the life that Richard has given Clarissa, and the things that he gives to Clarissa but has no major problems with the Man himself.
Yeah I think your observations are interesting. I think the dynamic between Peter and Richard is easy to overlook but when you think about it more, its interesting how their interactions or thoughts about one another are somewhat the same--its not like they dislike each other but its also not like they are super aware(?) and close with each other either.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely reflects well on Richard's character that he remains forgiving and quite kind toward Peter in his mind: this is part of his "English gentleman" persona, where he resides "above" the emotional drama and carries on with his life. He has "won" in his little conflict with Peter, which always seemed like a bigger deal to Peter than to him, and his is gracious in his winning--viewing Peter with a kind of affectionate pity, but there is genuine affection for an old friend there. He does seem genuinely glad to hear that Peter is in town, and he reveals no sense of being "threatened" by his visit with Clarissa. She doesn't attempt to hide it from him or minimize it, and he seems totally unbothered by it.
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