Comments:

stella - 2007-10-24 07:44:59
Robert Walpole's son was Horace Walpole. Horace was credited with writing the "first Gothic". A novelette named "The Castle Ontranto". It's a real stinker but notable nonetheless.
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Ypsidixit - 2007-10-24 09:19:13
Hmm, I didn't know that...interesting. "Castle" was published in 1764, I see. Wikipedia synopsis:

"The plot of The Castle of Otranto begins as Conrad, son of Manfred of the house of Otranto, is crushed by a giant helmet on his wedding day, also his birthday."

Ah yes. A familiar plot device. The old "crushed-by-a-helmet-on-your-wedding-day" ploy...though throwing the birthday in was inspired. But, c'mon', Walpole, look at how many other authors have used this device. Look at Melville's Ishmael. And what happened to him? Crushed by a helmet on his wedding day. What about the Old Man in the Old Man and the Sea? Both he--and the giant fish--were crushed by a helmet on their wedding days. Don't forget Danielle Steele. OK, that's enough literary analysis for today.

Thanks for the info, Stella!
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degutails - 2007-10-24 14:09:10
would the moral be: a) don't wear a helmet or, b) don't get married? one lives in wonder.
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Ypsidixit - 2007-10-24 14:23:53
No no no no no, the moral is c), don't wear a helmet on your wedding day. Like this one. Bad idea.
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