Gelis - the Terminus

Overview and Issue

• A two-part series on Gelis van Borselen.
• WG112 WG113

Abstract

• WG112 - Godscalc observes that Gelis would be happier if she was less clever. But Gelis has other qualities than just being clever, and the author identifies these through Gelis's journey to Africa to Africa. The human side of Gelis is appalled at the treatment of the young slave girl Tati, and there is gradual understanding by Gelis that there are unpleasant alternatives outside her world of experience that she had not been forced to contemplate. To her credit, she understands and learns that this is a world she must face without flinching from it. The author gives the proud Gelis credit for being articulate and determined, shrewd, quick thinking and courageous. Her competence grows as she faces deplorable conditions while nursing Bel. In Timbuktu, Gelis enjoys solving problems and also dealing with numbers. It is while she nurses Nicholas during is malaria relapse that they move towards each other on common ground.

• WG113 - Gelis chose to walk a road that was impossible and agonisingly, unspeakably lonely. She pays for that choice over and over again, just as Nicholas has always paid. Now that his lifetime partner and natural mate has taken her revenge, it takes so long for their paths to join. The article focues on Gelis's behaviour and attitude towards Nicholas in SOG and UH as she learns to be more sophisticated and opportunistic as she seeks revenge but also to be equal if not better than Nicholas. The article concludes with a summary of the descendants of Nicholas and Gelis, Kathi and Robin.

Author

• Kate Hannam

Dunnett Book Citations

WG 112:

• SOG 9, SOG 25

WG 113:

• SOG 34, SOG 16, SOG 26, UH 46, TLWL 39, UH 41, SOG 29, SOG 31, SOG 40, SOG 39, SOG 40, UH 17

Historical People

• (none)

Fictional Characters

• Nicholas
• Gelis
• Bel
• Godscalc
• Clemence

Historical Events

• (none)

Locations

• (none)

Bibliography

• (none)

Literature

• (none)

Illustrations and Photos

• (none)

Other Topics

• (none)