Elizabeth : Observing The New Prize Wife - Demelza Pt 3 (10 Truths On Elizabeth's Astonishments and Humiliations )

Humiliation: To reduce (someone) to a lower position in one's own eyes or others' eyes / to make (someone) ashamed or embarrassed.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

As this post covers Demelza's formal introduction to the Trenwith Poldarks and their friends as Ross's wife in December 1787, this is the third one in the series of essays exploring the theme of astonishment and humiliation that Elizabeth once introduced as a cloud over her life. The last two posts in the series were 'Bud On The Horizon' and 'Demelza-Elizabeth's Powerful Obstacle'. They covered the first two scenes which seem to have contributed to this theme against Elizabeth. As set out in that first and lead post in this series, and in accordance with the definition, humiliation for Elizabeth's theme would involve narrative and story development that seemed to lower her position to the reader. For instance, through her position to Ross being knocked as the woman that was 'The prize' above most other women, including Demelza. Indeed as Demelza was an unexpected roaring success for this Christmas event Elizabeth had a front row seat in observing Demelza assert her position as as a 'prize' wife for Ross. This is just like how Elizabeth had previously been thought of as when marrying Francis. As if recognising her own reduced and lower position under Demelza just as if in her shadow, Elizabeth would have an emotional reaction to this. This would include an outburst and a plan to redress this which would reveal the extent of Elizabeth's displacement and bitterness. 

A Discovery of Preference Pt1 (Did Ross Poldark Settle For Second Best Choosing Demelza over Elizabeth?)

Following Ross Poldark's fall from grace when he forced himself sexually on Elizabeth on 9th May 1793 and brought about the near break up of his marriage, it was on the 24th December of that year that Ross and Demelza had an epically romantic reconciliation. It therefore made this an extra special Christmas Eve and a happy ending to the first four books which serve as a first set in the saga. 

In a storyline based around a love triangle with Ross as the main character who was conflicted by an apparent love for two women, within the narrative, Demelza, his co lead character, and Elizabeth had by virtue of this been put in a position of competition with each other for his heart. The reconciliation and the words Ross used to express his feelings, in essence saw Demelza finally declared that Christmas as 'the winner' of all of Ross's love. However a frequent query requested has been around the issue of whether it was truly a happy ending for Ross and if he just settled for less.

Whilst a series of posts to follow will explore in more detail the exact reasons why Ross chose Demelza over Elizabeth, this one will explore in two parts the genuineness of Ross's choice of Demelza. Therefore the question of whether he chose Demelza by default. Together with quotes and explanations from Winston Graham there are many points and themes in his writing which convey this was not the case. In this part one the focus will be on Ross's discovery of his feelings which swayed in Demelza's favour and part two 'Reassurance and Reaffirmations Of First Choice' will focus on how the honesty behind Ross's choice is reflected in various ways through his words, the heartfelt romantic declarations he made to her and his thoughts and actions as cited below, but also thereafter in the saga. That will include his thoughts and meeting with Elizabeth again.

A Happy Ending Or A Tolerated Sacrifice?

This epically romantic final scene at the end of the fourth book 'Warleggan' (which as portrayed in the last television adaption did not in the books take place on a cliff edge but instead with Ross and Demelza at Nampara soaked in beer and a little rain drenched too), seemed very much a happy ending. Winston Graham referred to it this way himself. He had said in interview that the first four books were one long story divided into four and told Argos Weekend Magazine in 2001 that "I wanted to do a love story with a happy ending and that was it."   

Elizabeth: Green-eyed Jealousy of Demelza Poldark

Although Demelza had never really done anything to warrant being disliked by Elizabeth, it was in the sixth book 'The Four Swans' that Graham confirmed that she did indeed dislike her. When she was faced with Drake appealing to her for help with George's harassment of him Elizabeth thought of him that '..there were resemblances to the woman she disliked...' Of course this woman was Demelza and it was because of this that she had not intended to help Drake. She eventually took Drake's appeal to George but only for her own reasons pertaining to her marriage and their reputation. In truth, with no solid justification and since Demelza had actually attended to Elizabeth and Francis on their sick bed, and saved her child Geoffrey Charles, her dislike of Demelza was quite unreasonable. Whilst Demelza had been welcomed into the Poldark family by Verity and Francis, there had never really seemed to be genuine good will from Elizabeth towards Demelza. Some might think Elizabeth's dislike of her was natural and due to them both being in love with and wanting Ross for themselves. This idea is explored in the blog post  'Elizabeth: A Competitive Spirit Against Demelza' which looks at this while exploring her love or lack of love for Ross. But a consideration there is that Elizabeth was in competition with Demelza not because of a love of Ross but simply because Elizabeth was jealous of Demelza and unlike the kind of jealousy born from a healthy admiration, hers had an edge which grew over time in bitterness, resentment, a lack of good will for Demelza and therefore having a touch of the green-eyed monster about it. Here we look at where this jealousy first arose from and why. 

A Confirmation of jealousy

If there is any doubt that Elizabeth was jealous of Demelza Graham confirmed this without question in the first full editions of the second book 'Demelza'. Graham actually referred to Elizabeth as being jealous of Demelza on two occasions in this book (full editions). The first time followed an argument with Francis about Demelza (referred to below). This was in the sixth chapter of this edition and then he narrated that Elizabeth had spoken insults about Demelza '...in her distress and jealousy...' For the second reference the context was that Ross, Demelza, Francis and Elizabeth had attended the Truro Grand Assembly ball. It was Demelza's first ball although it was marred somewhat by Ross's sour mood in light of Jim Carter's death. On their way home together Graham stated that Elizabeth was now feeling 'lonely and unhappy' and that 'Her marriage had not at all turned out as expected.' He referred to her as a '..beautiful, rather over-reserved disappointed young woman.' Instead of following this with an explanation that the source of this disappointment was not having Ross for a husband instead of Francis, Graham continued his narration saying that 'She was also jealous of the blossoming Demelza...' (*)