Misplaced priorities! - A Meeting of Minds

Brenda · Jun 23 2013, 06:02 PM

I'm rereading these books, and it's been a while, and I had forgotten how much I dislike a certain part of Freedom’s Challenge – the “Must Make Babies Now!” campaign. It’s really problematic. First of all, they’re still stranded on an alien planet wondering whether their original captors or their new landlords are going to attack them first; Second, they’ve been having trouble assimilating all the new adults that are being constantly dumped on the planet. But that implies that there would be a good time to start pressuring every available female to start having babies.

I don’t like them pushing Kris. I find her reaction – backing away, an outraged “WHAT?!” – to be perfectly reasonable. Then Zainal tries to talk to her about it and she doesn’t want to, and is outraged that he fully supports this campaign, and he holds her down when she wants to get up and leave the conversation. Then he gets up to get her some more soup, and by the time he returns, she’s given in, saying “I guess I overreacted a little.”

NO YOU DIDN”T!!!

This change of attitude happened over only a couple of pages, and less than a couple of hours. I would expect a lot more talking, thinking, looking at other women who are happy with the situation, before even considering the idea seriously.

Not to mention that this new policy gives every man on the planet an open invitation to proposition her.

The way she ends up getting her baby doesn’t bother me nearly as much as the way she’s told she has to start having some.

***Hans*** · Jun 24 2013, 10:36 AM

Gee, for once the men get it their way... and what do you get, a critical reader

Sorry, couldn't help myself Brenda. I agree with you!

Brenda · Jun 24 2013, 09:20 PM

It's just so wierd reading it and she's all of a sudden okay with it, or at least not mad about it, even though she then keeps having trouble with guys who keep asking.

kevia · Jun 24 2013, 09:31 PM

I have to agree. There were several times, including that one, when her reactions weren't what I would expect of such a strong, self-confident, independent woman like Kris.

Brenda · Jun 25 2013, 06:03 PM

I also don't get why they thought that was a good time to start a population surge in the first place!

Kath · Jun 26 2013, 03:24 AM

Because BABIES! All McCaffrey heroines need to pop out a sprog or three.

(You know what, I think this is one of the reasons why the Crystal Singer books and The Ship Who Sang have aged so well. No reproductive imperatives!)

***Hans*** · Jun 27 2013, 09:56 AM

Except Lessa! She had to stop after the one and her hubby was even understanding somewhat...

Don't forget the plot of her very first story was about (Martian) babies...

although she actually didn't like that one herself. And I think you can add the original Pern trilogy to the 'better with age' group too, I think.

Kath · Jun 27 2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hans

Except Lessa! She had to stop after the one and her hubby was even understanding somewhat...

Don't forget the plot of her very first story was about (Martian) babies...

although she actually didn't like that one herself. And I think you can add the original Pern trilogy to the 'better with age' group too, I think.

Ah, but Ramoth Super Breeder more than made up for Lessa!

Brenda · Jun 27 2013, 01:49 PM

I've been thinking - it could have been so much better, just have another bit of exposition about life on Botany, and how all the new people were settling in and it looked like there was going to be a baby boom... And Kris would be thinking about it, never having thought about having kids before, but then Zainal couldn't be the father... And maybe have her friends ask, and Zainal ask, but not pressure her! And then have the rest of it as written

***Hans*** · Jun 27 2013, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kath

Ah, but Ramoth Super Breeder more than made up for Lessa!

Ah, true. Very true. But then, the dragons outbreed all

P'ter · Jun 28 2013, 04:08 PM

That's why there are so many of them today!

AnnMarie · Jul 6 2013, 03:36 PM

I think Brenda, you have nailed one of the reasons I was never crazy about these books. Letting nature take it's course is one thing. When the future of your entire settlement is in doubt, pushing a baby boom seems .... irresponsible.

Jun 23 2013, 06:02 PM	#1
Brenda Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis	Misplaced priorities! I'm rereading these books, and it's been a while, and I had forgotten how much I dislike a certain part of Freedom’s Challenge – the “Must Make Babies Now!” campaign. It’s really problematic. First of all, they’re still stranded on an alien planet wondering whether their original captors or their new landlords are going to attack them first; Second, they’ve been having trouble assimilating all the new adults that are being constantly dumped on the planet. But that implies that there would be a good time to start pressuring every available female to start having babies. I don’t like them pushing Kris. I find her reaction – backing away, an outraged “WHAT?!” – to be perfectly reasonable. Then Zainal tries to talk to her about it and she doesn’t want to, and is outraged that he fully supports this campaign, and he holds her down when she wants to get up and leave the conversation. Then he gets up to get her some more soup, and by the time he returns, she’s given in, saying “I guess I overreacted a little.” NO YOU DIDN”T!!! This change of attitude happened over only a couple of pages, and less than a couple of hours. I would expect a lot more talking, thinking, looking at other women who are happy with the situation, before even considering the idea seriously. Not to mention that this new policy gives every man on the planet an open invitation to proposition her. The way she ends up getting her baby doesn’t bother me nearly as much as the way she’s told she has to start having some. __________________ . Check out my Pern fiction! Mirrim's Vigil News from the Weyr Missing Link Dragonsong: An Alternate Tune Ghost in the Tunnels Changes at Riverbend Hold Pern Songs

Jun 24 2013, 10:36 AM	#2
*Hans* Master Archivist Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Netherlands Fan of: Pern!	Re: Misplaced priorities! Gee, for once the men get it their way... and what do you get, a critical reader Sorry, couldn't help myself Brenda. I agree with you! __________________ Hans, also known as Elrhan, Master Archivist Visit The Pern Museum & Archives for all your Pern and Anne McCaffrey News and Resources! The Pern Museum & Archives is the home of the Pern Encyclopedia and the Pern Bloodlines.

Jun 24 2013, 09:20 PM	#3
Brenda Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis	Re: Misplaced priorities! It's just so wierd reading it and she's all of a sudden okay with it, or at least not mad about it, even though she then keeps having trouble with guys who keep asking. __________________ . Check out my Pern fiction! Mirrim's Vigil News from the Weyr Missing Link Dragonsong: An Alternate Tune Ghost in the Tunnels Changes at Riverbend Hold Pern Songs

Jun 24 2013, 09:31 PM	#4
kevia Ballybran Resident Tuner Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Somewhere in the USA Fan of: Nimisha's Ship Now Reading: Crystal Line	Re: Misplaced priorities! I have to agree. There were several times, including that one, when her reactions weren't what I would expect of such a strong, self-confident, independent woman like Kris. __________________ Kevia

Jun 25 2013, 06:03 PM	#5
Brenda Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis	Re: Misplaced priorities! I also don't get why they thought that was a good time to start a population surge in the first place! __________________ . Check out my Pern fiction! Mirrim's Vigil News from the Weyr Missing Link Dragonsong: An Alternate Tune Ghost in the Tunnels Changes at Riverbend Hold Pern Songs

Jun 26 2013, 03:24 AM	#6
Kath Starsmith Weyrwoman Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oop North Fan of: Moreta	Re: Misplaced priorities! Because BABIES! All McCaffrey heroines need to pop out a sprog or three. (You know what, I think this is one of the reasons why the Crystal Singer books and The Ship Who Sang have aged so well. No reproductive imperatives!)

Jun 27 2013, 09:56 AM	#7
*Hans* Master Archivist Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Netherlands Fan of: Pern!	Re: Misplaced priorities! Except Lessa! She had to stop after the one and her hubby was even understanding somewhat... Don't forget the plot of her very first story was about (Martian) babies... although she actually didn't like that one herself. And I think you can add the original Pern trilogy to the 'better with age' group too, I think. __________________ Hans, also known as Elrhan, Master Archivist Visit The Pern Museum & Archives for all your Pern and Anne McCaffrey News and Resources! The Pern Museum & Archives is the home of the Pern Encyclopedia and the Pern Bloodlines.

Jun 27 2013, 01:49 PM	#9
Brenda Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis	Re: Misplaced priorities! I've been thinking - it could have been so much better, just have another bit of exposition about life on Botany, and how all the new people were settling in and it looked like there was going to be a baby boom... And Kris would be thinking about it, never having thought about having kids before, but then Zainal couldn't be the father... And maybe have her friends ask, and Zainal ask, but not pressure her! And then have the rest of it as written __________________ . Check out my Pern fiction! Mirrim's Vigil News from the Weyr Missing Link Dragonsong: An Alternate Tune Ghost in the Tunnels Changes at Riverbend Hold Pern Songs

Jun 28 2013, 04:08 PM	#11
P'ter Crafter Craftmaster Join Date: May 2006 Location: Wolverhampton Pronouns: He/him Fan of: Favorite? Now Reading: avidly	Re: Misplaced priorities! That's why there are so many of them today! __________________ "Truth is stranger than fiction: fiction has to make sense." Leo Rosten. "When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up." C. S. Lewis "I find television very educational. Whenever somebody switches it on I go in the other room and read a book." (attributed to Groucho Marx) The Pedants are revolting! (against bad grammar)

Jul 6 2013, 03:36 PM	#12
AnnMarie Dragonrider Weyrwoman Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: On the Edge Fan of: Pern and Talent Now Reading: The Name of the Rose	Re: Misplaced priorities! I think Brenda, you have nailed one of the reasons I was never crazy about these books. Letting nature take it's course is one thing. When the future of your entire settlement is in doubt, pushing a baby boom seems .... irresponsible. __________________ "...If my body dies tonight, my soul rides on the wind..." (from "The Man" by Mark Ryan/ Wuthering Heights)