Don’t judge a book…
It’s been a while since I last updated my blog. Thank you for your patience! I’ve been working hard on a new drawing lately, and I’m planning to post it some time next week. Anyway, enough of that, so have you heard of the English idiom “don’t judge a book by its cover”?
It means that we shouldn’t presume the worth or value of something or people by its outward appearance alone. This is what Candy had done; she had misjudged Dr. Leonard by his appearance. I believe a lot of us, including myself, sometimes do this too. Come on, admit it! LOL… 😉
Before I go on, I must thank a reader for correcting one of my earlier posts regarding Candy’s Happy Maker. From the Candy Candy Final Story (CCFS) spoilers, it seemed to me that Candy glanced at Albert’s portrait right after remembering that Anohito had fixed the music box. However, the reader informed me that Candy had listened to the tune of the music box for a while until it gradually wound down and stopped. Only then Candy spotted the portrait.
In other words, I couldn’t say that Candy remembered her husband had repaired the music box, no sweat, and then she glanced at Albert’s portrait right away. Some time had elapsed in between. Although the reader agreed that it made more sense that Albert was the one who had done the repair, she suggested me not to use the timing as a clue for who Anohito was. Actually, there’s another place in CCFS that Candy remembered how hopeful Candy had been about reuniting with Terry when she had just returned to America. Then right away, Candy recalled the time she had relayed her stowaway experience to Anohito.
Nevertheless, the reader kindly scanned me two consecutive pages in CCFS in which Candy indeed mentioned Albert right after talking about Anohito. Candy recalled she had been fired by Dr. Leonard because she had wanted to continue taking care of Albert. Then Candy said Anohito had advised her not to judge people merely by their appearance, like the way she had judged Dr. Leonard (see ‘HIM’ in the spoilers below):
I had been regarding deputy director Leonard as a cruel doctor.
I wanted to keep on taking care of Albert, therefore I was fired by him.
I think it was a reasonable step now. He needed to maintain discipline in the hospital.
Don’t judge people by appearances, I must have learnt quite well, however I still tend to misjudge and it makes HIM laugh at.
Albert …
I didn’t even know his full name at that time.
Albert was just Albert. It wasn’t something I had to wonder about.
His presence gave me a marvellous feeling of security.
Now I can understand the meaning of the bond that tied us with invisible threads
Even though the reader said it wasn’t a good idea to use the sequences of Candy’s recollections and present events as clues, I still couldn’t help thinking: if Terry was Anohito, isn’t it odd that Candy mentioned him in the middle of her recollection of Albert during his unpleasant days at the hospital?
Furthermore, Candy was told not to judge people this way because she had learned a lesson from her experience with Dr. Leonard. This implies that her husband knew Dr. Leonard personally, and if he wouldn’t judge the doctor simply based on his looks, neither should Candy. What do you think? 🙂
But Terry never knew this doctor, let alone the doctor’s ‘unfair’ treatment to Candy. In the manga, Candy was fired some time near her birthday in May, which happened months after she had broken up with Terry in New York.
You might argue that Candy could explain the whole situation to Terry later, but still it wasn’t his personal experience, so he couldn’t use this as an example to teach Candy not to judge people by their appearance.
On the contrary, since Albert had been neglected as a patient under Dr. Leonard, Albert knew first hand what kind of person the doctor was. Being abandoned in Room 0, Albert was fully aware of how ruthless the doctor had been, but based on CCFS spoilers, Albert actually hired this doctor as their family doctor later (see Candy’s letter to Aunt Elroy from CCFS spoilers):
And, director Leonard of St. Joanna hospital is a very kind and good doctor despite his appearance.
I believe he is the perfect doctor for the Ardray family in the new era, and also for you.
I was very impressed by Granduncle William’s excellent choice. (… I’m sorry for the impertinent comments.)
I hope your neuralgia eases off as much as possible.
Apparently, Albert had a forgiving spirit. Not only he didn’t hold grudges, but he had an open mind to evaluate this doctor without prejudice. This conveyed his maturity and wisdom. In fact, no other man could be as convincing as Albert the victim himself to talk some sense into Candy! After all, she had had conflicts with this doctor mainly due to his maltreatment of Albert. Yet, because of Albert, Candy undoubtedly acknowledged that she had misjudged Dr. Leonard in the past. Therefore, she was willing to change her opinion of this ‘cruel’ doctor and learned that she should no longer judge a book by its cover (although in her thirties, she admitted that she still tended to misjudge, which made her husband laugh…).
So, isn’t it obvious who Anohito was? 🙄
Now that I can read the Japanese text myself from the scanned image (many thanks to the reader!), I’m going to discuss the next paragraph about Albert giving Candy a marvelous feeling of security and the invisible thread between them. This post is already long, so I don’t want to combine these two topics together. Until next time! 🙂
Dear Ms Puddle , i found that Candy had misjudged Albert by his apperance too. That is why i found some parts where Albert ‘ s kind voice didn’t agree with his apperance .The first time when he saved her life and she thought he is a pirate ,in this part Candy says that he had gentle voice that did not agree with his apperance (his look was a little wild) and the second time whe she met in London his gentle voice which did not agree with his apperance again because he was wearing working trousers ,sunglasses but she tought of Albert ‘s same voice right away.So i believe the reference applies to Albert too and not only by misjudjing his apperance and but to his gentle voice too .What do you think?
Hi @Hope, nice to meet you! 🙂
Yes indeed Candy tended to judge people by their appearance, and your examples about how she initially judged Albert were the obvious ones in the story. But I’m not sure what you meant by Candy’s judging Albert’s gentle voice?
Hello Ms Puddle 🙂 i had written to you a couple of times that is why i didn’t introduce myself! I did not mean that Candy misjudged Albert’s voice but his apperance that did not agree with his voice.So what i meant is that Anohito laughs with Candy’s weakness because in the past she had misjudged him .One time she thought she was a wild pirate (although he had gentle voice =Anohito’s voice= Albert voice) and the second time she met him in London she misjudged again – (his apperance did not agree with his voice ). What i understand is , his voice has always been the voice of the ”Prince” . William’s voice (that gentle figure) but his look (the disguise) did not agree with his apperance .All these parts are reference to Albert , i think. Maybe you had written about it i didn’t read it yet but your interpetations are the best , i love your wonderful blog!!! 🙂
Hi Hope, thanks for your positive feedback to my blog! About this post, yes I did write something along the line (if I remember correctly), so I agree with you❣️ In addition, Candy mentioned Dr. Leonard and how she had misjudged him before. Of all the male characters, who knew Dr. Leonard better than Albert? 😉
Hi girls!
Bonjour Ms Puddle,
Très bonne remarque Antlay. Albert sait très bien ce que c’est d’être méjugé, n’oublions pas qu’il s’est fait chasser de « Mountain lodge » (vol.2 du Manga) par les gardes de sa propre famille ! Quelle ironie ! Par contre je ne sais pas si cette scène apparait dans CCFS?
Au sujet de la réparation de la « Happy box », honnêtement je ne vois pas Terry la réparer surtout sans effort ! Albert sait travailler de ses mains, il a même fabriqué des meubles en bois pour la chambre de Candy. Je ne me souviens pas avoir jamais vu Terry réparer ou fabriquer quelque chose de ses mains.
Quant à la tempérance, je pense que ça n’est pas un trait de caractère qui définisse Terry et ce n’est pas seulement une question de maturité, je pense, mais bien de personnalité. Terry est impulsif par nature, ce n’est pas une critique (j’aime aussi son personnage) mais un fait !
En effet seul Albert connaissait le Dr Léonard. Et qui d’autre aurait été à même de lui pardonner son comportement vis-à-vis d’Albert, qu’Albert lui-même ?
Par contre le fait de taquiner Candy et de rire d’elle, les deux l’ont fait régulièrement donc ce n’est pas un indice significatif à mon idée.
Enfin, ce qui attire mon attention est la dernière phrase du « spoiler » : « Now I can understand the meaning of the bond that tied us with invisible threads » encore ces liens invisibles et au présent puisque elle dit « now ». Pourquoi comprendrait-elle maintenant la signification de ces fameux liens si ce n’est parce qu’elle vit maintenant avec Albert, ne serait-ce pas un indice que ces liens l’ont menée jusqu’à son mari? 😉 😀
Bonjour Agnès!!
I was told that “driven by his own guards” part is not mentioned in CCFS. However, that Manga scene is a vivid example of Albert being despised as an intruder in his own premises! LOL…
About fixing the music box, as you said, it just didn’t match Terry’s character. After all, he grew up in a duke’s home, and even though he didn’t fit in his family, we just didn’t see him doing any ‘housework’ with his hands. While in New York, he hired someone to clean up too. But in CCFS, there was a good example of Albert being skillful with his hands (making various wooden furniture for Candy’s birthday). What a big contrast between these two?
Yes, Terry was impulsive by nature. Though people might argue he could grow more mature later in his life, this ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ clue is still in Albert’s favor simply because Albert had ‘suffered’ under Dr. Leonard before. Yet, Albert forgave him afterwards. This was clearly written in CCFS, and Candy had changed her opinion obviously because of Albert too (as a victim himself, his words could be more powerful than anyone else).
Dear Agnès, you read my mind! I’m going to discuss the last two sentences next 😀
Dear Ms Puddle, merci pour cette précision « driven by his own gards », j’ai dû rater ce passage ! Oups ! Lol ! Et malheureusement ma connaissance de CCFS n’est que très partielle, 🙁 Ms Puddle, vous êtes une source inestimable de renseignements à ce sujet, merci pour tout ce que vous faites.
J’attends avec impatience de vous lire au sujet de ces deux dernières phrases qui à mon avis ne sont pas anodines du tout ! 😀
Merci, Agnès!! I’m doing all this for pleasure, and glad to have support from many of you. By the way, thank you for leaving comments on Le Journal on FF.net as well 😀
I plan to publish my next post this weekend, and I’ll try to finish writing it tonight or tomorrow 🙂
My very great pleasure! 🙂
Dear Ms Puddle
Comme toujours, très pertinentes vos reflexions !
Oui effectivement “l’habit ne fait pas le moine”…
Albert n’était-il pas le mieux placé pour faire cette analyse ? Alors que de nombreuses personnes pensaient qu’il était un vagabond ou un clochard, n’était-il pas lui-même le riche héritier de la famille Ardray. Même dans sa propre famille, ses propres cousins n’ont pas imaginé un seul instant qu’il aurait pu être le “Grand Oncle William”, rappelez-vous la réaction d’Archie à la fête de fiançailles de Candy et Neil.
Je pense que cela devait amuser beaucoup Albert, donc je ne serais pas surprise que cela le fasse rire, comme Anohito.
Il n’y a qu’une âme noble et généreuse pour dire cela.
Very well said, Antlay dear! You’re so right about Albert himself being ‘looked down’ or ‘misunderstood’ by others simply because he looked like a homeless or vagabond while in fact he was one of the wealthiest men in the country. Nobody could have guessed that he was the powerful Uncle William.
It’s very true that no other man in the story than Albert could firmly stand behind the saying “the clothes do not make the man”!!! 😀 🙂
It’s going to be interesting, Ms Puddle. Seems we’re still going to talk about CCFS for quite some time that now you have access on the CCFS novel. **totally not complaining**
On how Candy told Anohito about her being a stowaway, with or without her remembering how sure she was to reunite with Terry when she returned to America … I always think this clue was indeed debatable. Both sides can claim who Anohito was. Although, if I see how Anohito reacted about the news, I think of Albert. In manga, we could see him most of the time smiling or laughing when Candy told him about her story (except those about NY incident), yet we know, he always kept watching over her and protecting her, as Albert and as Uncle William. Just thinking her travelling alone and being a stowaway must be horrible for him, and like we discussed, it might be led him feeling guilty for not being available when she needed someone in London ( he was already gone to Africa).
However, about the music box, even when it’s said Candy had listened to the tune until it’s stopped before she then had a glance at Albert’s drawing, the clue was still obviously clear to me that Anohito was Albert. Remember about her saying Anohito fixed it with no sweat? 🙂
And I’m with you, totally and absolutely, for this “don’t judge a book by its cover” clue. When we heard about Dr Leonard, we must think about Albert and room 0. Why Mizuki put Anohito in the middle of Candy’s memory of Dr Leonard, if he wasn’t Albert? Mizuki could’ve omitted the line about Anohito laughing for Candy’s misjudgement. The line meant nothing if Anohito was someone else. Do you think Mizuki would unnecessarily mention Anohito while she intended her novel to be a puzzle novel? 🙂
And let’s be honest. Based on original characters that Mizuki created, do you really think Terry would be so considerate and so wise to advise Candy not to misjudge Dr Leonard, when he knew this doctor had fired his beloved for her goodwill? He even had misjudged and hold grudges for so long to his own mother once, and believed all the Duke said about Eleonor. **and please people, don’t say : Terry was being more matured in CCFS. **
Meanwhile Albert, it seems to be naturally him for saying that. On separate scene, Albert also told Candy something about Aunt Elroy, that behind her strict character, she had done all for the sake of Ardley’s family, which without her wanting it, had become her sole responsibility. So it’s not just once that he gave her some of his wise insights. Plus, the case of Gloria Bandog, the owner of Magnolia house. Albert didn’t hold any grudge toward her. With his power, he could silence her, couldn’t him?
And some people would say : Albert fans worship him too much as if he was flawless and too d*mn perfect. Oh well, blame Mizuki! 🙂 🙂
I don’t have the CCFS novel with me, but I have the scanned images from the reader, which is already wonderful! I can read some Japanese, but very slowly. With a little bit at a time, I can still manage. 😉
You’re right about Albert probably feeling guilty about going to Africa, leaving Candy in London… but who could have thought she would end up being a stowaway? As you said, everything happened for a reason under Mizuki’s hands. 😛 About the music box, the reader didn’t mean that it wasn’t Albert who fixed it. The reader informed me that Candy didn’t spot Albert’s portrait right after remembering Anohito. Some time had elapsed in between. I guess I need to modify my post in order not to confuse people. 🙂
Reeka dear, you’re absolutely right that whenever Dr. Leonard is mentioned, people automatically remember Albert and room 0. Terry is definitely out of the picture here. Plus, it’s completely strange that Candy mentioned Anohito all of a sudden (in the middle of her recollection) if Anohito wasn’t Albert…
Yes Terry had indeed held grudges against his own mother for so long… though Albert was not perfect. He had deliberately ‘avoided’ Candy for months, and he had been rebellious and impulsive when he had been younger (his famous runaway incident). However, in the story we readers got to see Albert growing up and turning mature and wise (especially after his amnesia). On the other hand, Terry got successful in his rising career but he was a bit socially impaired (even with his co-workers). Nobody knew whether Terry had grown warmer towards people when he was older. Probably he would, but Mizuki never mentioned anything in CCFS except he stayed with Susanna till her death.
Hi! Sorry for being unclear on previous comment. I know that “the reader” only said ‘Candy had not looked at the picture right after thinking of Anohito’. I just added the fact to you that at that scene, it’s not the only clue. Fixing the music box with no sweat was another hint and it’s obvious who HE was.
Albert being perfect, I did quote a hater’s comment I had read on one of C&A fanfics. Oh well he was indeed almost perfect 🙂 and I’m sure Terry too was growing up eventually, but judging by his nature, his backgrounds, and the loss of his true love, I think he was somewhat still the old Terry, who mostly acted as a bitter man. The fact that he didn’t marry Susana, or else, speaks volume about how he was hard to let the bitterness go and not willing to move on and open his heart.
Dear Reeka, I think you’re probably right that Terry might still act bitter even later in his life. After all, he sacrificed his own happiness for Susanna, but she got so sick that she died. I have a feeling though that it wasn’t just because of him that the marriage didn’t happen. Could be Susanna’s illness or other factors. But who knows? Perhaps Mizuki didn’t want to upset Terry fans even more?
Unfortunately, I am no different than other people.
First impressions aren’t always the right impressions, but still we’ll hold on to those until the other person proves him/herself differently.
Giving others a second chance can be a good thing 🙂
I think it’s part of who Candy is, to react impulsively. She needs someone like Albert, who is quieter and observant. They make a good match, both with a heart of gold but with a very different personality.
It’s true that many of us do behave like Candy, and often times our first impressions are right. Actually, Candy thought Albert was a pirate too, lol! At any rate, Candy misjudged Dr. Leonard mainly because he had neglected Albert, whom she cared about a lot. That was why she was very upset with the doctor and considered him cruel or ruthless. 😉
You’re so right, dear CKati, that Candy needed someone quieter and observant to help her and guide her, someone like Albert 😉
I like what you said, CKati. That being an impulsive girl, Candy needed someone more matured and more wise like Albert. Outwardly, they have many things in common, but naturally, they’re complementing each other. 🙂
Exactly, Reeka! Candy is definitely more ‘hot-blooded’ than Albert, who was calm and mature compared to her. We can see how easily she got provoked or frustrated simply because of Terry’s bantering remarks… LOL…
Hey! It’s really interesting what you have written. You made go and open as many doc files as I can and check every single spoiler that I have ‘in my power’… LOL….
I have a bad translation to spanish about that scene in CCFS… here goes my translation to english, (hope I can do it fine)
****
When I was about to leave the hospital, Terry suddenly hugged me from my back. He hold me tight, really tight.
I wanted him to hold me for a little bit longer.
Terry’s voice, Terry’s deep voice that I like a lot.
I would had liked time will stop for ever.
I felt a warm tear hitting my neck and then… I felt Terry’s heart hugging me, his wild beating still keeps in my mind.
The music box continues playing…
“This is a device to make you happy, Candy,” Stear gave it to me on the station platform, the very day I was heading to New York. He said, “Everytime you hear this tone, Candy, be happy.”
Stear, on that snowy night you saved my life. Even don’t knowing the name of that melody, I could make it to Chicago.
After that time, I’ve heard this tune many times, even when I wasn’t sad until one day, the music box broke up. I thought the bond between us was finally over, I was unease on my mind.
But HE fixed the music box so easily. After that, I was afraid to break it up again so I better saved it.
I had not heard this tender tune for a while, I don’t know who made it, perhaps it was Stear.
I have heard carefully this song sitting on my chair. But I can no longer remember it. I’m just listening the tune. And finally, it stopped before it was over.
By chance, I saw a portrait inside….
***************
Well, hope my english translations it’s ok…. lol…. I know you will get a better idea when you read the original text. The previous pages Candy was remembering Anthony’s death, how she went to London and how she met Terry… But, to be honest, I don’t see why we cannot use this like a clue. Yes, it is true Candy was recalling the moment she broke up with Terry but I sense It has to be by hearing the tune of the music box and how it help her through their break up. Then, she continued playing it until suddently, it broke up. And then, HE fix it… well, for me it is a clue but I’m based on what I have.
And about Dr. Leonards, yes, anohito new about him and apparently, in detail. I don’t think Mizuki has left so many information on Candy’s recolletions just to discard it and don’t use it as clues to anohitos identity. In those lines, she speaks volumes. And if we don’t use them, so better we say anohito is another person. :p
Other thing about Albert’s realtionship with Dr. Leonard, is in the old novel.
“Ah, it was fun to be in Chicago after a long time. What was particularly amusing was when we met Director Leonard of St Joanna’s hospital. My God, Director Leonard, he looked so panicked, it was so funny that I couldn’t stand watching him.
Because you know, he put you in the sickroom, in the so-called “Unlucky Room No. 0” where they put someone without money or homeless person unwillingly in. Even though you had got injured in a train accident and lost your memory. The room No.0 is the worst place I can imagine. I think it’s improper that such a room ever exist in a hospital, though.
When you said, “Thank you for all you had done for me at that time.” he was sweating. (Ha-ha). He deserved it because he misunderstood our relationship accusing me of being immoral and fired me!”
ANW, I love the information you brought us, it makes me go deeper in the story. And I better stop before my commente became longer than your post… hehehe
Hugs my friend.
Hola QuevivaCandy mi amiga!! Thank you so much for sharing the spoilers with us! You have done a wonderful job translating it (as usual)! I think yours are longer and in detail, and I’m going to compare your version with another scanned image of ccfs from the reader. I read Japanese very slowly because my knowledge is minimal, but I like reading the original text. 😉
My reader said not to use the sequence of events. In my old post I thought Candy spotted the portrait right after remembering Anohito fixing the music box.
It was ok. I was also talking about Anohito was good at fixing things, so the sequence wasn’t the only clue anyway. 😛
Agree with you about Mizuki talking about Dr. Leonard this much for a reason, and Albert hired the doctor later must be a big clue as well! We couldn’t just discard as though these are not important.
About the old novel, I wonder if Albert was sarcastic or really meant to thank the doctor… 😆 In any case, this part is very funny, and I wonder if this is in CCFS or not. Probably not. :/
hmmm… the sequence… hehehe… I missed that part… LOL
The info of the old novel is not in CCFS. That spoiler I took it from Candy’s letter to Albert, after the birthday party. It seems that day, they went to Saint Joan’s Hospital and did what is written. That do not happens in CCFS, but It’s only my guess, Albert was not being sarcastic. In CCFS she believes Dr. Leonard was right at that time because he needed to maintain discipline in the hospital and then, the misjudge sentence. I think she changed her mind based on what Albert thought about it. What do you think?
Anyway, anohito clearly knew Dr. Leonard… 😀
That’s what I think too, QuevivaCandy! Mizuki removed this part in CCFS but added something new, that Albert hired the doctor for their family. This works very well with Candy’s recollection and Anohito’s advise of not judging people by the appearance. Mizuki, oh Mizuki, lots of clues about Anohito are in Albert’s favor, aren’t they? 😉 😛
Hi, Girls!
I also think that Albert was not being sarcastic. He might have hidden message on it … let’s say, if Dr Leonard didn’t put him on room 0, he didn’t need to feel alienated and abandoned, and silently run away from hospital. Thus, no living together with the sweet nurse at Magnolia :D.
Everything happens for a reason, right? 😉
That’s very true… if he hadn’t been abandoned, or if he had been well taken care of in the hospital, Candy wouldn’t have been an angel to Albert… the only one who cared about him as a person, unlike everyone else in the hospital. 😉
Yes, Ms Puddle, this single action of dr Leonard’s, that looked horrible at the first place, in fact brought many good things at the end. Not only they fell in love in Magnolia, I believe it’s changed the way Aunt Elroy saw Candy later on after Albert told her who saved his life.
True. About Aunt Elroy, she might have softened a bit because without Candy, she might have lost her precious nephew (the only heir) forever. :/
Hi girls!
Wow! It is so interesting what you have all shared in this post. I will not add much, anyway (you have said it almost all! LOL!) I will just say that even Aunt Elroy learned the lesson, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” She had always judged Candy by other’s comments. Once she “read her” herself, she realized how wrong she had been all along. Don’t you think?
Hugs to everyone!
It’s so true, SweetCandyAndley dear, that Aunt Elroy had been soooo wrong all along. She looked down upon Candy simply because the poor girl had a lowly origin, and little did the old lady expect that her precious nephew would be rescued by this orphan in the future!