Shades

The classical love letter is used in a novel for a specific purpose.

We are used to thinking that a love letter must be filled with sweet nothings: "How beautiful your feet, your graceful legs the work of a craftsman's hands, your breasts like twins of a gazelle." (Song of Solomon, 7:1-3)

If one contrasts this to the classic letter that appears in Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice, one is presented with a remarkable contrast.

That letter was written because Fitzwilliam Darcy had been rudely rebuffed by Elizabeth Bennet upon his asking for her hand in marriage. He wrote for no other purpose than to rebut Elizabeth's accusations.

The letter, however, proved a turning point in their relationship. Elizabeth saw the error of her judgements while Darcy realised he had been an arrogant prig. From then on, Elizabeth and Darcy became friends - and eventually marry.

It is in this sense that we must view Walter's letter to Frances. He writes solely to wish her well in her marriage to Victor. He also tells her of his decision to return to England. In doing so, however, he speaks of the magical times that he had shared with Frances at Nolovini.

Frances, on the other hand, never realised that Walter had these strong feelings of affection for her. His letter therefore makes her examine her own feelings towards both Walter and Victor. And ultimately it causes her to break off her engagement with Victor.

Reference is sometimes made in Shades to a "letter book". This was a book with detachable pages upon which the letters were written.

Between each page was a thin sheet of translucent paper which blotted up the excess ink. Once the letter had been posted, therefore, a copy was automatically retained in the letter book.

It was much like an old-fashioned carbon copy that we used not so long ago before the advent of computers.