I know few people agree with me, but I liked Rachel Drummond. Perhaps she was only the "type" of person Tennesse Williams referred to as a "little person" (I'm not sure if I'm remembering Mr. Williams' term accurately). In other words, she was no one of great importance, not particulary intelligent or talented. Not someone who will be remembered for very long after her death. But she was a gracious, tender, loving young woman. She was devoted to her charges, and loyal to her friend, Tim Shaw.
She showed real backbone when being browbeaten by the Rev. Trask -- and didn't hesitate a moment to lie in order to protect someone in whom she had faith. Nor did she waver from her lie in the face of Trask's physical violence or threats.
Rachel Drummond is also one of Kathryn Leigh Scott's best realized and flawless performances on DS. From her initial appearance, her carriage and demeanor were completely believable for a shy young woman of her station in the late Victorian era, someone little more than a servant in the eyes of more powerful people (which was practically everyone at Collinwood). KLS's speech and mannerisms were perfectly suited to the character and well-drawn. I wish more people remembered this particular role of Miss Scott's.
Her death scene was as poetic, touching, and full of pathos as a death scene in Dickens -- and of course Dickens is much maligned by those of a more cynical nature. Several details of Rachel and Tim reminded me of Nicholas and his sister Kate in Dickens' "Nicholas Nickleby." Dickens portrayed many women like Rachel Drummond, who were seen as the perfect Victorian woman, the "angel in the household." (It's interesting to remember, though, that Dickens' canvas was remarkably broad, and he brought to life every type of woman -- and character -- conceivable throughout his novels, many far different from Kate Nickleby, Little Nell, or Rachel Drummond.)
And speaking of broad canvases and many types of characters, that's one of the things I love most about DS, and which I feel Dark Shadows shares with my favorite author.
A sad farewell to the brief, touching life of Rachel Drummond ... waiting for her father to bring her home to the large white house by the sea, hopefull, waiting, expectant ...
