AFG: What do you think of Ruth’s idea that “most people, while claiming to hate authority, actually yearned for someone to take charge”?

I think most people want someone to tell them what to do. Kaye “had been afraid all her life.” She had a chance to redeem herself for all the cowardice of her life by defending Crie, but she didn’t. Lyon reminded Gamache of his dog Sonny who had been “eager to please and hungry for company.” Nichol who seems to hate Gamache’s authority, goes into the burning house and places herself, Beauvoir and Gamache in danger. Saul found a portfolio of art which showed “a world both lovely and hurt, a world where hope and comfort still existed.” Clara’s work which she had given to CC to give to Denis Fortin. CC had thrown it away, but it moves Saul. Still he doesn’t take charge and save the portfolio.

I agree with Ruth but not based on the context for this quote in AFG. Ruth is preparing to take charge of the effort to resuscitate C.C. In that context, you want one person to be in charge. Same with putting out a fire. And there is no one better equipped (except Armand or Jean Guy or Isabelle) to do that, to direct an effective response in an emergency.

Ruth’s comment resonated when I consider the willingness of so many people today to accept unquestionably what people in power or people with a platform to say. Many have surrendered their agency to decide for themselves or to take charge of the decisions that impact them. It is easier to let someone else step up and take any risks, both in one’s personal and public lives. Nancy captures that dynamic for so many characters in AFG.

Now, having said that, this does NOT describe the folks I read in BCFs!

I think there’s a curious dichotomy in people who are anti-establishment, anti-being-told-what-to-do. They want to be left to do what they want and yet like the idea of having a “strong” person in charge, not necessarily telling them what to do but telling other people (who they dislike) what to do. This mode of thinking is really on full display in the right-wing conservatism worldwide right now (and to be fair, on the far left as well). Sorry to get a bit political, but I think this psychology fits with Ruth’s statement.

I think CC is the pivotal character in AFG in which Ruth’s idea hinges. She is the authoritarian in the story. Both CC’s husband, Richard, and Saul dislike CC and yet are “under her thumb.” They are cowed by her power. Richard does little to defend his daughter from CC’s verbal abuse and Saul doesn’t quit working for her or leave her despite his better instincts. CC has contempt for both men (and their weakness), indicating she might desire a man who can take charge. CC also created her whole “spiritual” self-help philosophy supposedly as a way for people to take charge of their own lives. But really, her goal was to extract money, fame, and recognition. It’s a perversion of self-help as she desperately wants to have power over people and what they think.

I like everyone’s POV on this one but I admit I’m a bit muddled as to how Ruth’s idea applies to the characters in the book. It’s interesting that Nancy found so many characters who were looking for someone to tell them how to act and behave and what to do. And Tara points out CC only wanted to tell people what to do. And Jane points out people want responsible people to take charge (esp in an emergency). In AFG I think that there’s perhaps a grey zone – where there’s many characters who are “between” wanting agency and wanting to be told what to do. At least that’s my impression? I’m thinking of poor Crie who is constantly criticized to the point of being smothered and unable to have any agency at all. There’s Elle, who we later learn has so much agency and creativity and yet had mental illness that took away her ability to be responsible for herself and her family. And there is Lemieux and Nichol who are young and impressionable. They want to have agency and make a mark, yet they are being manipulated by those in authority (are they willingly giving up agency to get ahead? Curious what you all think.) Lots to ponder but I’m like Jane I find it much easier to see examples in the present day.

I think that is true in general because we are manipulated to look for someone to fix it. It’s the deliberate dise. Powering of people. But people being what they are usually want it both ways. And not everyone is allowed to assert their own power. And I think what CC wanted was control, control to impose her worldview on others. And Crie had no opportunity or help to exercise any power. So, like others it cuts moth ways.