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WHY COULDN'T THE HORSES GO TO THE COUNTRY?

posted 15 years ago by Jal8919536
6 replies | jump to latest

That's one thing I never got in either the movie or novel. When BB's first owners have to move to the countryside because of his mistress' declining health on doctor's orders, why couldn't the family keep their horses and how were they suppose to get around without them, considering this was the 1880's before cars were invented? Jerry Barker is also sent to the same place, following a bout of pneumonia that nearly took his life, on doctor's orders after being he told he could never drive a cab again, which results in BB being sold for the same reason yet again.
And what happened to Birtwick Park after the family moved to the countryside? Was it still their property (the countryside being only a temporary place of rest until the mistress got her bearings when her health permitted) or was it sold to somebody else and the family's stay in the countryside's indefinite?

[–] OmegaWolf747 15 years ago

In the movie, it said the Gordons had to leave England. It wouldn't have been practical to take the horses with them. As for Jerry, I don't really know.

--
"House. My room. Can't walk. My medal. My father. Father, don't!"

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] trixie-k-88 13 years ago

I think the wealthy family sold all their property. I believe in that time it was customary to leave any horses because they were essentially considered farm equipment and transportation.

Also, I don't think Jerry could afford to keep him.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] LindaY 11 years ago

When you had health problems like Mrs. Gordon did in those days, they sent you to a warm climate. I suspect she might have had tuberculosis. Up to the time of the discovery of penicillin, tuberculosis patients went to a warm dry climate even here in the US (usually Arizona). Europeans usually went to Italy or perhaps Spain. You would have not have brought your horses with you.

As I remember from the book, Jerry Barker and family were going to go live on someone else's estate where Jerry would be a head groom or some type of supervisor. You would not take your horse to live on your employer's property.

[–] mistyjewel 11 years ago

Jerry's family may also have needed the money from selling Beauty in order to help finance their move.