Wow. Guess I'm the only one who feels sorry for Rachel. While she doesn't always make the best choices, and does stick her nose in where it doesn't belong, that isn't very different from Victoria Winters, who seems a revered character on this board.
For me at least, I think the distinction comes from the writing. When Vicki went a snooping, usually there was some relatively logical reason for her to do so (e.g. hears sobbing in the middle of the night and is worried someone needs help). And at least for the first year or two, Vicki actually appeared to be doing the tasks she was employed to do.
I find it puzzling and a little troubling that this character engenders such a hostile attitude considering her background. Rachel Drummond was a penniless orphan who nobody wanted around. She was shunted off to Worthington Hall where she was mentally, spiritually and possibly physically raped at the hands of the Trasks, who are among the most despicable of DS characters. Lately, she was betrayed by Tim Shaw, the only real friend she ever seems to have had. And we all know what her fate will be.
Yet within this thread this character has been referred to as a sneaky twit, and a stupid bimbo, who will go for anyone in pants. It's implied that she deserves whatever comeuppance she gets. Now, I am no fan of the typical 'helpless female' character either, but isn't this a little harsh?
Maybe I'm being oversensitive. Please know that I'm not trying to attack anyone's opinion...I'm just saying.
Well, I'm going to repeat myself here, but here goes.
She shows up to a job that we now know she desperately needs. Although the signals are crystal clear, she does anything and everything she can to jeopardize the job. When she ignores the non-verbalized cues (employer becomes rigid, uptight and looks threatening at mention of his wife; mistress of the house gives her the stare of death), these are then verbalized: Mrs. Collins is a forbidden subject; Stay out of the tower room. Mind your own business, etc.
Rachel still goes right on ahead and disobeys those requests.
As for her going after anything in pants (not quite how I said it), her very first day on the job the obviously dissolute brother implies she's a whore. Does she act upset? Does she suck it up and ignore him? Does she stay the hell away from him? Hell, no. She's off standing in the moonlight in like five minutes.
She accepts valuable gifts from a virtual stranger.
She goes off to meet said virtual stranger in the middle of the night.
Given the Victorian time period, these are not the actions of a nice girl. Hell, given our time period, a lot of these are not the actions of someone of high moral character.
I have all the sympathy in the world for the character's experience under the probably-abusive care of the Trasks, but that still doesn't excuse all the sneaking around, the lies, the not doing her job.
Luciaphil
