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Episode 10: Is Cordelia Tweaking Her Nose at Julia and Charles?

posted 11 years ago by dizexpat
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There's a very awkward moment in Episode 10 when they are in Nanny Hawkins' room, and Cordelia asks Nanny:

"Isn't it splendid about Julia and Charles getting married?"

Julia and Charles look like they're squirming and Nanny simply says, "Well. I hope it's all for the best" before changing the subject.

Cordelia, and everyone else, knows perfectly well what the highly religious Nanny Hawkins would think of the concept of two people divorcing their spouses so they can marry each other. So, why did she say it?

I can't help but think that, in her own way, she's tweaking her nose at them, and giving them a brief moment in which they are made to feel guilty in front of Nanny.

La Madre Puta
La Puta Madre
La Hija de Puta
El Chorizo

[–] murph24 11 years ago

That's one way of looking at it; Cordelia is known for her honesty, and she may want Julia & Charles to know just how the devoutly religious are viewing their wedding plans - as Brideshead did somewhat brutally earlier in the episode. But in view of the "sweet letter" Cordelia sent Julia when she heard about the wedding, it's unlikely Cordelia would intentionally want to make them feel uncomfortable. You could also look at it as Cordelia acknowledging the "elephant in the room" (ie, Julia & Charles' decision to marry) and stating her support, and encouraging Nanny to do the same - which she does, without necessarily giving her approval.

It should be noted the moment is slightly different in Waugh's book; Julia and Charles break the news to Nanny Hawkins, and that's when she responds: "Well, I hope it's for the best." When Cordelia returns to Brideshead a little while later, they all gather in Nanny Hawkins' room but she never mentions Julia & Charles' upcoming nuptials; she only apologizes to Nanny for the way her hair looks and briefly talks about Sebastian - that's all.

[–] dizexpat 11 years ago

It's been a while since I read the novel so I didn't recall the difference.

I like the point about Cordelia trying to encourage Nanny to give them her support. But I also think she would know better.

La Madre Puta
La Puta Madre
La Hija de Puta
El Chorizo