Snobbery in the character of Mrs. Coffin

Wednesday January 31st, Mr. Ogden mentioned the idea in lecture that in "The Innocent Traveller", Mrs. Coffin comes off as somewhat of a snob. His reasoning for this statement is simply because this woman is health conscious, and healthy people think that they are better than others. When I look at my own life and at the people around me like my friends and family, I see health conscious people, but I do not see stuck up personalities. Although I agree with Mr. Ogden in saying that Mrs. Coffin is a snob, I do not think that eating Ralston’s Health Foods is strong enough evidence for this statement. I think that Mrs Coffin is a snoot not because she cares about her appearance, but because of how she delivers this information.

When Topaz and Mrs. Coffin meet up at English Bay and begin chatting, Mrs. Coffin does not even begin the conversation with a “hello” or a “how are you?” but instead, dives right in and begins talking about herself. The first sentence that comes out of her mouth mentions that lately she has “come under the influence of Ralston’s Health Foods” and that she is “making a careful study of physical health and exercise and right thinking…” (131) Saying this would have been alright if they had been on the topic of health or exercise, but instead it is forcefully brought up. Out of all people, Topaz would be the least person to care about her health. Why bring up the topic? The reason why she mentions this is not to start conversation, but because she is fishing for complements and wants to bring to light how great she looks. Mrs. Coffin then goes on to say how already her “complexion is brighter” and her “whole mental attitude is improved” (131). This comment leaves Topaz no option other than to say, “yes Mrs. Coffin, you look wonderful.”

This woman is trying to be perfect in every way and wanting people to know it. Mrs. Coffin also goes on to say that she has “made an appointment with Mr. Fortes for a swimming lesson” and hopes “very soon to have mastered the art” (131). This is yet one more area of her life she is wishing to excel in, and one more thing she mentions to let people know how crowning she is.