Scotland is a main setting within The Flight of Gemma Hardy. While there are mentions of other European countries like Iceland, Frace, and London – at this point in the novel, Scotland is of larger importance. It is mentioned in almost every chapter whether looking back on a memory or making the world come to life. In the beginning, Gemma is influenced by her uncle who has (at this point) died and was the only person left who (seemed to) care. The audience can see this when Gemma admits her feelings about the way she was viewed in education considering she was poor and had no family by saying, “I knew from my uncle that in Scotland one could go to university at seventeen, and I had come to think of this as the age at which I would, magically, become an adult” (Livesey 10). When Gemma is thinking of words like “age” and “adult,” it seems like she is a child focused on the future because she wants a happier life since she is miserable with her aunt. When using the word “magically,” it leads us to believe that in Gemma’s mind the key to peace is becoming an adult. Although, a little later when Gemma hesitates about getting in a stranger’s vehicle, this makes one consider whether she was not getting in because she was mature enough to read the signs at an early age or if she was a child who was scared. What is interesting about the time after Jane Eyre and Wide Gargasso Sea is that the first noted kidnapping happened in 1874 in the United States (Historic Germantown). There have been more kidnappings since then and even still today, and they happen all over the world including Scotland. Another thing to note is when Gemma was experiencing the school closure of Claypoole, the timing lines up with when Scotland was experiencing a high unemployment rate (Travel Scotland). Although, even with the unfortunate beginning of kidnappings, high unemployment rates, and Gemma’s unhappiness with her treatment – Scotland was at the Golden Age for air travel. Even while trains and other methods of transportation were being utilized, airplanes were becoming a trendy way to go (Mclean). Knowing this information is significant when looking at some of the events taking place in this novel compared to the ones from a different period. It was easy to lose a job during this time and others were eager to fill with lack of jobs. Considering this makes it important for readers when noting the event where Mr. Donaldson would be losing his job trying to help Gemma; while she does not know where he went, she knows he may still be in Scotland, hopefully with his sister (90). All of this comes together to show that Scotland may have its downsides in history, but it has tried improving over the years – which is mirroring the life of Gemma Hardy at this point in the novel.  

Works Cited:

Getty Images. Private pilot Colin Teubner said: 'There was a smoking section and a non-smoking section on the plane, but the whole place reeked of smoke' (stock image). 9 Jan. 2017, www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-4101602/ Glamorous-flight-attendants-relaxed-security-reeked-smoke-planes-noisy-hell-REALLY-like-flying-1960s-70s.html. Accessed 13 Feb. 2022. 

Historic Germantown. "The Story of Charley Ross." US History, Independence Hall Association, www.ushistory.org/germantown/upper/charley.htm. Accessed 13 Feb. 2022. 

Mclean, David. "Scotland in the 1960s: A Nation on the Move." The Scotsman, JPIMedia Publishing, 25 Sept. 2020, www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/ scotland-in-the-1960s-a-nation-on-the-move-2983600. Accessed 13 Feb. 2022. 

Travel Scotland. "Devolution - the 1960s in Scotland." Travel Scotland, HMGT Travel, www.scotland.org.uk/scotland-in-the-twentieth-century/devolution. Accessed 13 Feb. 2022.