The Doll’s House
Week of March 24, 2008

Chapter 18:

Emily is showing no signs of changing and things are growing worse for the Plantaganets. Now she wants the family to become Marchpane’s servants and sleep in the attic and stay in the kitchen. Charlotte is shocked and said no, that Marchpane is more like their aunt or a step-sister. Emily is hearing none of that. She declares Marchpane is a “great lady,” and she doesn’t want the Plantaganets in the sitting-room with her as they are “so ordinary” and they don’t go with Marchpane. Emily gets her way and the Plantaganets are now to be kept in the kitchen and the attic.

Mr. Plantaganet is upset that he cannot go throughout the house as it is his house. He is the father and master, not a butler as Emily declares he shall be. Tottie tells him he is not the butler, but at that moment Emily picks him up and tells him he is the butler and to go open the door. Emily further declares Mr. Plantaganet cannot be the postmaster any more as he is the butler. After some discussion between the girls, Emily declares that Birdie will be the maid and Tottie will be the cook. Charlotte is upset with her over this decision, but Emily says in a “hard” voice, “I want a cook for Marchpane and Tottie must be the cook.” Charlotte was silent and Emily said “You have to do as you think with dolls. You have to play with them. I am only playing with them.” “Yes, poor dolls,” said Charlotte.

DISCUSSION:

This is a short chapter but a troubling one. Things are definitely getting worse for the Plantaganet family and for Charlotte. Emily must be bewitched by Marchpane. She has changed from this sweet little girl who loved the Plantaganets into a thoughtless, almost mean person. Charlotte and Emily took such care of the dolls' house for the little family (all the cleaning, sewing, the furniture, etc.), and now Emily is taking everything away from the Plantaganets and making servants of them to be at the beck and call of the nasty Marchpane. She doesn't even want them in the same room as Marchpane.

Emily said in a "hard" voice that Tottie will be the cook for Marchpane. When Charlotte stayed silent, Emily got upset with her. I think Charlotte is possessed by Marchpane but not completely. I think that is why her anger is showing because she knows what she is doing is wrong, but she is compelled to do Marchpane's bidding and she is not happy about it. She reasons that she is "only playing with them," so therefore it is okay. Charlotte got the last word in though with "Yes, poor dolls", clearly indicating that she did not approve of Emily's behavior.

For some reason Charlotte is going along with Emily’s decisions. She doesn’t like them, but she isn’t putting her foot down and standing up to Emily.

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Yes, that was a very depressing chapter. There is no talk from Tottie about wishing. All the Plantaganets had better get together and wish, wish, WISH!!!
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This was truly a disturbing chapter. She-who-must-not-be-named seems to have strengthened her 'power' over Emily, to the point that Emily abandons the Plantaganets entirely, making them servants. Poor Mr. P. is confused and upset, rightfully so--and is so bewildered it makes me want to take him home myself.

Charlotte doesn't seem affected by Marchpane. She can't quite stand up to Emily (although she tries, and does give her opinion), but it is clear Emily isn't exactly sure that what she is doing is right either. Some part of her knows it isn't right, but Marchpane obviously has a deep hold on her.