#rose macclare

Downton Abbey + Headpieces

doctor-donnas' 1 year Downton Abbey Anniversary

Sure, both of them snuck out of the house, putting a servant's job in jeopardy, but one of them did so to go to political rallies, and the other, to have fun and dance. They have the same methods, sure, but their goals and inner lives are very different.

Sybil had lots of male friends, even at the 1.7 garden party she is seen speaking to young men. She remembers Tom Bellasis fondly even if there's no mention of flirting beyond making her laugh. Larry Grey saw her often enough to have a crush on her. But as far as we know, the only man she loved was Branson.

Meanwhile, Rose has female friends. Madeleine Allsopp for one, but also Freida Dudley Ward in a way, and she makes friends with Mary despite Mary not being particularly friendly AND being in mourning. She gets along fine with Matthew too, but he's married. Every other unmarried man who comes upon her (and isn't already either besotted with Mary or a historical figure) is a prospective love interest. Even 40 or 50 years old Terence Margadale, her father's coworker.

One might also speak of their family relations. Sure, they're both the third and last child of a peer, raised in castles, yearning for the bustling London where they could have the life they want. Still, Sybil was the only one to get along with Mary and Edith all at once, while Rose has never mentioned her siblings onscreen, it was her father who did offhandedly.

Critically, Sybil and Rose both know that they want to marry that one man their family doesn't approve of. But Rose goes about it defiantly. Well, if my mother doesn't want the match, too bad for her. (i made another post about how Atticus was different from the other "unsuitable" suitors, i still stand by it. But if you need a clearer example, see how Rose goes about flirting with Ross, openly, and saying her mother will hate it, as proof). Meanwhile Sybil is steadfast in marrying Branson, but she is immensely relieved and heartwarmed that her father gives them his blessing.

Finally, as touched upon in the second paragraph, their ways of being the rebellious one are different. SImply because Sybil is political, and Rose just wants to have fun. It's genius to have them be the Rebellious One in different ways of course, brings variety while not getting too audacious or getting too far from the original premise. But you know what makes the main difference between them?

Sybil is The Rebellious One in an Edwardian way. Suffragette. Political. Becomes a nurse and wants equality. Class-crossed romance.

Rose is The Rebellious One in a Roaring 20s way. Flapper. Flirty. Listens to jazz and wants the wireless installed. Interfaith romance.

64 Downton Abbey (Mary, Edith, Sybil and Rose) icons (requested by anonymous).

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Some icons under the cut, you can find the rest of them on my icon page.

Stupid sexy post-canon Jewish Aldridges headcanon incoming …

They’re staunchly Reform, of course. Rose (who eventually converted) is much more observant than Atticus, who’s basically just keeping up appearances because Lord Sinderby Would Disapprove Otherwise (he’s alright struggling with Hashem, just not his father). However, and for reasons that are entirely their own, they eventually decide to keep … well, not entirely shomer negiah, but shomer niddah. And they’re having such terrific fun with it. In a very meaningful way, of course.

When they’re staying at Downton during the war years, Rose needs to go all the way to Leeds to have access to a mikveh. She still wants to do it properly. It’s a mitzvah after all, shut up Atticus. So they decide to make it their thing, go together, stay at a nice hotel, do what one does at long last after the mikveh.

At some point, however, timing is inconvenient. So one night at dinner, the Completely Clueless Crawleys urge them to reschedule.

They can’t. They won’t. It’s a Jewish Thing, they try to explain, blushing (but not because they’re ashamed to be Jewish). But it’s not a holiday, not even Shabbat, Cora remarks. She understands a bit, but not enough.

If it’s just an appointment with “what do you call your Jewish priests at your Jewish church again”, probably something to do with the refugee children, surely they don’t have to stay overnight? When Rose tries to explain it’s not about that, it’s a ritual for women, someone points out that Atticus might as well stay back then and attend the house party or charity thing or whatever it is without her instead. He’s not a woman after all, and Rose has always been very independent, she won’t need a chaperone won’t she?

She could, of course, but she doesn't want to. And neither does Atticus.

They spend an embarrassingly long time basically discussing the logistics of the Aldridges’ sex life over a polite dinner conversation, with no one but the Resident Jews being any the wiser.

Rose is mortified and loves every bit of it. Atticus really needs a drink.