Explore the Relationship of Sue and Maud in Fingersmith
In Water’s ‘Fingersmith’ (2002) the reader is initially introduced to the main protagonists Sue and Maud through Sue’s prospective. Throughout the novel they become amoursly intertwined and their connection is strengthened by their physical lust for one another, bringing them together as one. The attraction between Sue and Maud is the central driving the plot of ‘Fingersmith’ serving one of the main sources of conflict as their ‘organs of fancy’ become inflamed. Water’s uses different perspectives within the novel, which succeeds in compelling the reader to become emotionally invested in the romantic relationship; this is striking given the problematic nature of sue and Maud’s relationship. The first part of the novel revolves around Sue’s attempt to get Maud to agree to marry Gentleman in secret so he could confine her in an insane asylum and take her fortune. The second part is narrated from Maud’s perspective, which reveals that Maud is in league with Gentleman and focuses on her ultimate plan to incarcerate sue to the insane asylum under her identity. The very existence of their relationship is due to the fact that Sue wishes to inflict grievous harm to Maud in order to benefit herself and contrariwise. Both characters clearly acknowledge their ulterior motives when narrating; this becomes increasingly prominent during Maud’s narration as she is aware of Sue’s ulterior motives as well as her own. Water’s deliberately does this to enforce that Maud is not the innocent party and is well aware of her manipulative actions.
It is depictions of poignant events from both sue and Maud’s perspective that leads the reader to sympathise with their romantic feelings for each other despite the fact, both are actively working towards the other’s downfall. The significant quandary limiting the reader’s capacity to sympathise with the two female protagonist’ tender feelings for each other is the fact they are intentionally attempting to obliterate each other’s lives and plan
It is depictions of poignant events from both sue and Maud’s perspective that leads the reader to sympathise with their romantic feelings for each other despite the fact, both are actively working towards the other’s downfall. The significant quandary limiting the reader’s capacity to sympathise with the two female protagonist’ tender feelings for each other is the fact they are intentionally attempting to obliterate each other’s lives and plan