[LMB] "Memory" brings a thought on Ivan and marriage

[Elizabeth Holden]

Dorian said, re Claire's comment that Ivan is alcoholic:

> Yes, but every scene where he's drinking is a social
> setting where drinking is part of the expected behaviour.  

Yes. And the gulping a drink is usually because he's worrying about Miles, or being badgered by Miles, or otherwise influenced by a situation regarding Miles. I.e., immediate, rather than habitual, behaviour.

> I'd be worried if we saw him drinking at 
> work, or at home alone.  

Or if we saw him drunk at inappropriate times.  He's always able to do his job, act cool, react to Miles and even sometimes to keep up with him - to the point of saving his life.

> But drinking at dinner parties, State functions, 
> etc. is perfectly normal, IMO, and since we usually see him
> more or less stressed at such events 

Usually more, rather than less.

And if it follows the cultural patterns it's predicated on, drinking is a cultural norm.  Barrayar was not founded by members of a temperance union.

namaste,
Elizabeth