How can he show he does magic...if he doesn't do any magic?
True, he did at the end of the episode but his attiude before doesn't make sense. If this world was real and someone came up to me and said 'Hello, I'm a magician' without casting any magic, I wouldn't take said person seriously even if s/he had brought statues in York Cathedral to life.
I do get what you mean. The start of the book gives far more insight into his personality than the first episode. He's bought up almost every magic book to prevent them falling into the hands of others and loves to be thought of as the only true expert on the subject (to the point of boring listeners). His self importance perhaps didn't come over as strongly as it could have. His attitude is not reasonable because he's lived as a recluse and is guided by his manservant, whilst battling against him at the same time because of that self importance.
Obviously some people are not made of the tough stuff you need to post in the Cult or DW forums.
Though I always wear my flak jacket over my anorak when I'm posting on DW.
I'm not tough me. I may seem like it online given my 'online reputation' (seriously, people TALK about me on Twitter. Mad, I tell you.) but in real life, I'm actually a wimp.
How can he show he does magic...if he doesn't do any magic?
True, he did at the end of the episode but his attiude before doesn't make sense. If this world was real and someone came up to me and said 'Hello, I'm a magician' without casting any magic, I wouldn't take said person seriously even if s/he had brought statues in York Cathedral to life.
The whole point of the character is he is flawed and too proud and self-obsessed for his own good. He's not meant to be a hero.
The whole point of the character is he is flawed and too proud and self-obsessed for his own good. He's not meant to be a hero.
He may not be a hero in the traditional sense but all media has a hero (otherwise known as the protagonist) according to Vladimir Propp. Mr Norrell is the only one who fulfills that role.
He may not be a hero in the traditional sense but all media has a hero (otherwise known as the protagonist) according to Vladimir Propp. Mr Norrell is the only one who fulfills that role.
I found the book rather hard going, so I gave up, and I do not say that very often.
The TV adaptation was far more condensed, rather like the difference between watching Moby Dick (1956) and reading the novel it is based on.
I was looking forward to this and in a way it also reminded me of Gormenghast but I loved Gormenghast and at the moment am not so sure of this one. It is not colourful literally and metaphorically as Gormenghast was and there are no charismatic characters so far and nothing to wind me in. Mr Norrell was slightly pompous and somewhat boring. There was no excitement in magic for him only his beloved books. I am hoping that Jonathan Strange may have a bit more life about him.
The only character at the moment that seemed to have promise is the Fairy. I will watch next week and give it another try.
Comments
I do get what you mean. The start of the book gives far more insight into his personality than the first episode. He's bought up almost every magic book to prevent them falling into the hands of others and loves to be thought of as the only true expert on the subject (to the point of boring listeners). His self importance perhaps didn't come over as strongly as it could have. His attitude is not reasonable because he's lived as a recluse and is guided by his manservant, whilst battling against him at the same time because of that self importance.
I'm not tough me. I may seem like it online given my 'online reputation' (seriously, people TALK about me on Twitter. Mad, I tell you.) but in real life, I'm actually a wimp.
The whole point of the character is he is flawed and too proud and self-obsessed for his own good. He's not meant to be a hero.
He may not be a hero in the traditional sense but all media has a hero (otherwise known as the protagonist) according to Vladimir Propp. Mr Norrell is the only one who fulfills that role.
Except for Jonathan Strange.
He hasn't been in it enough to be the protagonist. Besides, it is clear Mr Norrell is the main character.
The title of the book is Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell which should tell you that the story revolves around both of them.
The TV adaptation was far more condensed, rather like the difference between watching Moby Dick (1956) and reading the novel it is based on.
The only character at the moment that seemed to have promise is the Fairy. I will watch next week and give it another try.
Oh, dear, so you missed the bit where......but you'll never know.
I saw it few mins or so past when statues can alive and could not care less what happens next:)
It does sounds rather muffled but that's the BBC for you. You usually have to pump up the volume.
I think that's the problem. The sound is always dodgy on BBC HD.
Funny, but I got that impression and that's why I mentioned it. I'm actually watching on a laptop!
I didn't realise you could watch BBC live on a laptop. Just checked iPlayer and it's a couple of minutes behind.