During my study of the novel: "The True Story of Lilli Stubeck" by James Aldridge, it became clear to me that a number of issues stood out more than any others: Racism, poverty, and person to person friendships. In the following paragraphs I will go through each of these issues, pointing out the key factors and examples to make it clear that these issues, were the most important things throughout the book.
One issue, which emerged while reading the novel, is the issue of friendships, and the progression of such relationships. In my eyes, there was one relationship in the book which was the single most important one, that which was between Lilli Stubeck and Miss Dalgleish. In the beginning of their friendship things seemed strictly business - Lilli would run errands for Miss Dalgleish and in return would receive payment. Though after a while Lilli had become a more permanent replacement for one of Miss Dalgleish's past housekeepers. Before long, the Stubeck family had decided to move out of St Helen and instead of taking Lilli with them, they sold her to Miss Dalgleish. So Lilli was living in a brand new lifestyle, she was given clothes, food, money, and everything she wanted - she was even given a second education from Miss Dalgleish, and she was taught to be more formal and proper than how she was originally raised. Though no matter how much Lilli got, she never said thankyou, or showed gratitude - though Miss Dalgleish never expected her to. The two seemed made for each other, they were both emotionally detached, they rarely spoke, and they seemed to have perfect body language to express themselves when the time came. For a couple that lived together for such a long time, and in such a tight knit way as they did - it's a wonder how they could grow so cold and distant when it came to communicating with each other. Later in the book when Miss Dalgleish died, Lilli was given everything, as long as she would stay and live in the house.
