Ignorance is bliss?

I will be the first to state that I was not particularly sold on the idea of Ethel Wilson’s ability to make Topaz a loveable character in The Innocent Traveller.

Perhaps I’m not the only one, but I found Topaz to be more annoying than that poodle that lives next door. The one I’ve plotted the demise of at least a hundred times.

A recurring theme of Topaz’s behaviour seems to be her sheer ignorance. While it could be argued that Topaz’s carefree attitude and endless optimism is simply a fabulous way to carry one’s self through life, I don’t buy it one bit. Throughout the book, it becomes apparent that Topaz is only a fleeting memory, and she is described merely as “a line on granite.” (p. 94) This is irrevocable proof that her manner of carrying herself was not only left unrespected, but is grossly unadmirable to the majority of the family. Instead of nurturing a loveable, cheerful woman, Wilson has only succeeded in truly pissing me off.

Additionally, there is the common argument that there are numerous times over the course of The Innocent Traveller in which something glorious in terms of action in the plot could occur. And, sure enough, my desires were foiled, and Topaz simply exclaimed “I do declare!” (too many occurences to cite) and went about her business. Topaz truly is the ultimate example of someone who doesn’t do anything. And it’s quite sad, really, as this is supposed to be one of the earliest and best examples of post-modern writing.