The Doll’s House
Week of March 10, 2008

Chapter 16:

Marchpane is brought into the dolls’ house. Tottie stands firm. She fell once for joy while at the Exhibition, but “I shall not fall for fear of Marchpane. Trees, good trees, don’t fall down in storms.” When Emily brings Marchpane into the kitchen to meet Tottie again, Tottie never looked more wooden. Marchpane’s eyeballs gave a sudden click. Emily said that since Marchpane and Tottie knew each other years and years ago they must know secrets about each other that Charlotte and Emily don’t know.

Emily then puts Marchpane on the couch by Mr. Plantaganet and shuts the door of the dolls’ house. Mr. Plantaganet was quite taken by her beauty. Marchpane thought it very rude of him to stare at her. She doesn’t understand why he is in the sitting room, as she believes he is the butler. He tells her that he is master of the dolls’ house and Birdie is the mistress. Marchpane declares she certainly is not but that Marchpane is mistress. She goes on to say that the house is hers and she can’t live in it with all these people rustling and bustling about. He and Marchpane get into a heated discussion about the house, Birdie, what room Marchpane is to have for herself, and about Tottie. He feels the family is in danger. Tottie agrees but doesn’t say that aloud as Marchpane must not know they are frightened. She thought of all the bravest things that were made of wood: bowsprits and figureheads of ships that drive into the sea and meet the waves; or their masts; of flagstaffs that fly flags high in the air; and of her tree. “I am made of the same stuff as they,” thought Tottie. “Wood. Good strong wood. After all, nothing very strong is made of kid.” She told Mr. Plantaganet to have “Courage.”

Marchpane is not interested in little girls -- not in Laura, nor her sister, nor Emily, nor Charlotte. Tottie tells him that Marchpane does not like to be played with. Mr. Plantaganet can’t understand that. He would sooner be broken or thrown in the toy cupboard, than never be played with at all and tells Marchpane she is not a doll but a thing. When he asks Tottie what they are going to do, Tottie replied “We must wish and we must never stop wishing for a moment.” Marchpane says she can wish too as she is heavier than Tottie. Tottie says that to be heavy doesn’t mean to be strong, and Tottie is very strong. “Nothing, nothing,” said Tottie, “nothing can be stronger than good plain wood.”

DISCUSSION:

In this chapter the arrogant Marchpane is installed in the doll house, claiming that it is hers, not the Plantaganet's. This confuses Mr. P, whom she accused of being merely the lowly butler of the house and a doll who was not worthy of occupying her spaces.

Tottie tried to be polite, calm, and quiet, but Marchpane's selfish, rude remarks caused Tottie to recall all the very good qualities of her wood and things made of wood. It was as if she was drawing a deep breath to shore up her confidence. She defended herself and all dolls who are played with, telling Mr. P that Marchpane doesn't like to be played with, and she couldn't stop herself from telling Mr. P to wish, wish, wish. She senses danger ahead, but doesn't want to cause Mr. P any extra worries. It's plain that Tottie is the household leader, even though she defers to Mr. P.
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Tottie has always been the head of the house, but she is not swept up in her importance. Instead, she has always quite clearly allowed Mr. P. to think he is the head. As for Marchpane--wouldn't you love to know the secrets they know about each other, that Tottie alludes to? Marchpane cares so little for the girls she either doesn't--or pretends not to--remember their names at first! and then to say she doesn't care for little girls at all! Truly, an unnatural doll. I think even Tottie was shocked at this!
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I do want to say that this chapter is a turning point in the book. Everything we have been warned about through Tottie is coming true. The worst has happened. Marchpane has returned and, true to her cold nature, is ruling the household to suit herself. She doesn't care enough to blink her open/shut eyes (of which she is so vainly proud); about Mr. P.'s feelings of insecurity; of Birdie's delicate, flighty nature; or about Tottie, who should have been welcomed as an old friend. And we can see that she has an evil plan for Apple, an innocent little dolly.
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I was reading a book last night, and they called marzipan by the name of marchpane, also. Interesting! Too bad She-who-must-not-be-named isn't as sweet!

It got me interested—

Tottie (or Totty) is short for Charlotte/Charles (interesting, since one of the girls is a Charlotte!)
Birdie (or Birdy) is short for Bridgette
Emily means admiring.
Apple couldn't be found anywhere!
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I didn't know there might be a connection between the names of Marchpane and marzipan. Interesting that Marchpane has such a "sweet" name and such a mean personality. I like the Tottie/Charlotte connection, but wonder how those two names ever came together. I would have never made that connection. Birdie seems too old a name to go with Bridgette, but the name Bridgette seems to fit our Birdie.

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