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The Girl in His Shadow


The story of one woman who believed in scientific medicine before the world ...
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Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ religious nature inclines her to needing Nora, while Dr. Croft's non-religious outlook inclines him to detachment?

Created: 04/30/21

Replies: 11

Posted Apr. 30, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ religious nature inclines her to needing Nora, while Dr. Croft's non-religious outlook inclines him to detachment?

Early on, we are told that Mrs. Phipps is religious, unlike her employer Dr. Croft. Both care for young Nora, but it is only Mrs. Phipps who is finally said to need her. Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ religious nature inclines her to needing Nora, while Dr. Croft's non-religious outlook inclines him to detachment? Why or why not?


Posted Apr. 30, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianac

Join Date: 04/02/13

Posts: 91

RE: Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ ...

I did not find Mrs. Phipps to be the least bit religious in her daily interactions with Nora. Similarly, I did not find Croft to be non religious, but rather he was scientific minded. The two need not be mutually exclusive.


Posted Apr. 30, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
PKH

Join Date: 01/29/21

Posts: 120

RE: Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ ...

No, I don't think it has anything to do with religion. She is a caring woman, he is a man bent on scientific medical research.


Posted Apr. 30, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Maggie

Join Date: 01/01/16

Posts: 434

RE: Do you think Mrs. Phipp

Mrs Phipps cares for Nora a young girl who has lost her family, religious or not she is Nora’s mother figure. Dr Croft cares for her giving her a place to live, a home. Being the scientist he is he is very wrapped up in his work.


Posted May. 01, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
barb23703

Join Date: 10/04/15

Posts: 102

RE: Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ ...

I did not see any religious nature in Mrs. Phipps character. From all the characters, I saw simply the expected Victorian sensibilities as interpreted by our modern society. Dr. Croft's detachment was. in line with his character and we saw that he was attached to Nora in his own way. I think Mrs. Phipps was nurturing by her nature as the keeper of a home, as Dr. Croft was allusive due to his nature as a man of science who often had to face the death of a patient.


Posted May. 01, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carriem

Join Date: 10/19/20

Posts: 237

RE: Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ ...

I did not see Mrs. Phipps religious nature in the book instead she treated Nora as a daughter and Nora cares for her while Dr. Croft is a scientist and that is his life and wants to share that with Nora.


Posted May. 02, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ ...

I think Mrs. Phipps is a born nurturer, which is a good thing given Dr. Croft's failings in this area. Nora gives her a chance to apply this nuturing nature, much like her saving of the puppies later in the book.


Posted May. 02, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
katherinep

Join Date: 07/16/14

Posts: 374

RE: Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ ...

NO--Mrs Phipps, as the housekeeper was in the perfect position to assume the role of " mother " and she, fortunately, was a woman with a maternal nature. After all, weren't the working class women of the day mothers and housekeepers? I know my Mom, before we grew up, was both. Dr. Croft, in the meantime, was one of those bachelors totally wrapped up in his work. He was more detached because he didn't even notice when his clothes were disheveled, for heaven's sake. But, that does NOT mean he was unloving or not warm to Nora. He loved her and she knew it. He wasn't demonstrative but many men, even today, are not.


Posted May. 03, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
melissa c.

Join Date: 01/10/21

Posts: 111

RE: Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ ...

I also did not see Mrs. Phipps being particularly religious. I think if she was deeply religious, she would not have been able to live with Dr. Croft and be supportive of his career and nature. And even though Dr. Croft was seemingly detached, there were several times in the book when he showed he could be vulnerable and cared deeply for Nora.


Posted May. 03, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kate

Join Date: 01/22/11

Posts: 95

RE: Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ ...

I agree with previous posts. I did not see any real indication that Mrs. Phipps was religious. And I took Crofts attitude to Nora more because he was busy and into his medical work, nothing to do with lack of religion.


Posted May. 23, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Lifeski

Join Date: 05/19/11

Posts: 6

RE: Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ ...

Mrs. Phipps is a natural when it comes to being nurturing which shows as she took on the care of the puppies and the kittens. Crofts attitude toward Nora is more of a distant father. He is focused on science and while not affectionate obviously cares for her. I believe personality not religion drives this.


Posted Jun. 14, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bill

Join Date: 05/25/17

Posts: 23

RE: Do you think Mrs. Phipps’ ...

I agree that personality and not religion accounts for the relationships between Nora and Mrs. Phipps. I also do not believe that Dr. Croft is totally detached as it was he that brought her to his house and gave her a home and also involved her in the medical practice.


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