Barb, I agree with your feelings about how people feel disgruntled with low paying, low skilled jobs. My fear is with the new Affordable Healthcare Act, it is only making less full time positions, less pay, higher insurance costs, which will only lead to more disgruntled people in the workforce, who are going to vent that anger in areas that could harm others or themselves.
I tend to think business owners would want more for their workers, so they would be more productive, resulting in better profits for the company and better attitudes in the employees. We are in a state of affairs where the government is so involved, that it is pitting the employer against the employee. Regardless of what type of skill you have, whether it be like Fanny in the kitchen, or myself at one point washing dishes in a restaurant, as long as you are considered worthy, and treated with respect, and know what you are doing seems important and meaningful to the company, I think you can find self worth in what you do. I was a non certified computer teacher in a private Catholic elementary school for fifteen years. I along with the other non certified positions, such as janitorial, secretarial, nurse, aides, Auxiliary clerk, etc., always was treated with dignity, respect and felt our position was as important as any certified teacher, until a new principal came in, and at the first faculty meeting separated the certified and non certified people, and treated the non certified with less importance, respect and dignity. I could not work for someone so blatantly disrespectful. I resigned from my position at the end of the winter break. At the end of the school year, 80% of the certified teachers left the school because they did not like how this principal treated everyone. The enrollment went down, and the school is now needing to merge with area schools to continue to stay open. This principal along with the powers that be, cut positions and wages and brought down the morale of the entire staff. So I guess my point is no matter where you work, no matter what your position is, and even the pay, if you are treated by the company with dignity and respect, you don't mind knowing they are profiting from your performance. That's how it's suppose to work.
I'm not sure Fanny was jealous of Mary fossil hunting. I think if anything Fanny wanted to be Mary's friend, and hence there is where the rift comes in. Mary does not treat Fanny as her equal when she comes to chaperon, she watches her sit day after day bored, and even in the cold and wet rain and does not seem to have consideration enough to stop hunting with Mr. Buckland, so Fanny can get out of the horrible weather conditions and go inside to her own job. It isn't until they share the moment of laughter, when Mr. Buckland goes to pee on the beach, they connect as if they could be friends. Granted, maybe Mary does not have the social skills, to know how to be a friend to someone close to her own age because she has been secluded on the beach with her father, Joseph or alone all these years, until Eliz comes into her life. I would like to see Fanny and Mary become friends, but I also feel sad for Fanny, having to spend her hours out there for the sake and selfishness of Mary and Mr. Buckland. If I were Fanny I would resent Mary, just for that reason alone, and be justified in feeling that way.
I do sense Fanny is a fictional character, and have since the first time her name is mentioned. She pops up in opportune times, yet seems insignificant so far to the story.
Ciao for now~
