The Other Tom Brown's Schooldays 14 - Conclusion or Confusion?
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2002 10:52 pm
It seems that I've caused some confusion in some quarters in respect of the conclusion of 'The Other Tom Brown's Schooldays' & I post in order to clarify the ending.
Throughout the story, I've used a literary trick, contained in the careful wording used throughout. This is best summed up by the first two paragraphs of chapter 14.
Tom knocks on Dr. Ballsoff's door in the 1st. A boy enters a doctor's room in the 2nd. However, did I say that the latter youngster was Tom or the physician he encountered Dr. Ballsoff? I didn't because it was another lad simultaneously entering another room at another school 30 miles away! Also, did I mention the names of Tom or Dr. Ballsoff again during the castration process?? I didn't because they weren't participants.
Throughout the story, I've played on readers' presumptions, as I never ever actually said at anytime that Tom was the conspiratorial uncle's nephew or that the poor eunuch-to-be went to Soddamhall School!
The 2nd gelding that Dr. Ballsoff was planning was always that of a horse. There was never, ever, a threat to Tom's balls from anyone at anytime!
Sorry for the tease but I like twists in the tails of my writings!
I just hope that I've not been too clever & therefore too confusing. It was my concern about this that stimulated me into adding the 'author's note' as an appendix to the tale & now this message.
I anticipate that the adventures of the still-whole young Tom, obviously destined for a glorious army career with his friends but still having another 8.5 years at Soddamhall School to survive first, will return somewhere sometime.
PUEROS
:tongueout
Throughout the story, I've used a literary trick, contained in the careful wording used throughout. This is best summed up by the first two paragraphs of chapter 14.
Tom knocks on Dr. Ballsoff's door in the 1st. A boy enters a doctor's room in the 2nd. However, did I say that the latter youngster was Tom or the physician he encountered Dr. Ballsoff? I didn't because it was another lad simultaneously entering another room at another school 30 miles away! Also, did I mention the names of Tom or Dr. Ballsoff again during the castration process?? I didn't because they weren't participants.
Throughout the story, I've played on readers' presumptions, as I never ever actually said at anytime that Tom was the conspiratorial uncle's nephew or that the poor eunuch-to-be went to Soddamhall School!
The 2nd gelding that Dr. Ballsoff was planning was always that of a horse. There was never, ever, a threat to Tom's balls from anyone at anytime!
Sorry for the tease but I like twists in the tails of my writings!
I just hope that I've not been too clever & therefore too confusing. It was my concern about this that stimulated me into adding the 'author's note' as an appendix to the tale & now this message.
I anticipate that the adventures of the still-whole young Tom, obviously destined for a glorious army career with his friends but still having another 8.5 years at Soddamhall School to survive first, will return somewhere sometime.
PUEROS
:tongueout