“‘A huge towny place,’ exclaimed Lota. ‘Gran’pa said it was not better than Brighton’. ‘Could anything be better than Brighton?’ asked I."

 

Lota pokes fun at Helen for preferring their hometown of Brighton to the Italian town of Taggia, Lota’s chosen location for tending to her health. Brighton is known as one of England’s most renowned seaside towns, located just outside of London. The town’s development was heavily supported by the patronage of King George IV who elevated the township to a fashionable resort. Brighton was particularly known for its health-aiding qualities, most of which originated from its proximity to the ocean. Brighton’s climate is relatively temperate, with cool summers and winters accompanied by frequent rainfall and cloudy periods. While the women seem to be diametrically opposed, they simply function on differing sides of the imperialistic scale. Helen’s imperialism is displayed through her resistance to the unfamiliar culture, whereas Lota’s imperialism hinges on expansion into the unfamiliar cultures.