Peter Latham-- writes: "You may remember that Nelson at the battle of Copenhagen was ordered to break off all action. His reply was to place his telescope to his blind eye and report that he could see no signal. Whereupon he proceeded to win the battle of Copenhagen.These events are reported to the audience by Vivien Leigh as Emma Hamilton, but they have a powerful effect on the audience. The film makes Nelson's disability an heroic and military virtue, not just an unfortunate circumstance to be overcome. Is this a fair assessment, and if so, is this use of disability unique?" I think it's a fair assessment of the use of Nelson's image. The Hero of Trafalgar, after all, stands atop one of the most notable and famous monuments in London. I think the *use* of the story as a kind of folklore and in the context of that particular film is suggestive, though. THAT HAMILTON WOMAN is from 1941, starring the most famous stage couple of England, during the height of the Battle of Britain. It is obviously meant to appeal to patriotic themes (as Olivier's production of HENRY V was, as well) and in the figure of Nelson to suggest that "disability" is no impediment to success and can even be a tool towards that success. This reinforces the image of Britain as isolated and beleagured but heroic in the face of huge odds. At the same time, there's a certain mythic continuity in this story. One could look at folktales such as THE FOOL OF THE WORLD, where it is the simpleton son who triumphs with the help of associates who might otherwise seem disadvantaged (the men who can see farther, hear farther, walk faster, eat more, etc. can be seen as "disadvantaged" by their abilities--context is everything!). On the other hand, you have the pop culture portrayal of characters with disabilities who in some ways seem to have an advantage over "normally abled" people. Consider Helen Keller as emblematic--she "sees" more because it took so much more effort to learn to "see" and communicate in her own way. On TV, that notion is often seen in characters associated with the law-- the spate of disabled detectives in the 1970s (IRONSIDE, LONGSTREET) or even Marlee Matlin in REASONABLE DOUBTS or PICKET FENCES. Don Larsson, Mankato State U (MN) ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]