Text Analysis

I started my research by reading the play of Toad of Toad Hall by A.A Milne and picking out all the adjectives that describe Mr Toad. I then got their definitions to get a wider look at his character, and the main ones being:

Eccentric,

Unconventional,

Whimsical,

Impulsive,

Rash,

Debonair (meaning Confident, Stylish and Charming.)

Also whilst reading the play I thought that Mr Toad was very misunderstood. Although many of the adjectives I found seem to describe a big headed, pretentious mad little toad I actually chose to ignore them. I see Mr Toad as a sweet older man living on his own that loves nothing better than to share his new purchases and ideas with his friends. In the past this was read as showing off but I think he is genuinely excited to show his friends his new things as he thinks they would really be interested, and he would always be there for a friend in need and make sure they were properly looked after in his home.

Patterns

images that inspire me

De Roosy, L., 1997, Lenny's Alice and Wonderland Site, http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/pictures/tweedledee-tweedledum-pictures.html

Sato, T., Lionel, L., 2000, The Wilde Years, London : Philip Wilson Publishers Limited

photograph by Napolean Sarony 1882.

Duret, K., 2008, Jankenpon, http://davidkiyokawa.com/blog/2009/08/the-negroni/?paged=6

Glenn, J., 2009, Hilbrew, http://hilobrow.com/2010/06/05/camp-kitsch-cheese/

Mayer, D., 1969, Harlequin in his Element, Cambridge: Harvard University Press

Documentaries

The Seven Ages of Britain: Age of Empire

Dimbleby, D., 2010, Seven Ages of Britain: Age of Empire, BBC Productions/Open University

'The East Offering it's Riches to Britannia' Spiridione Roma

Unknown., 2010, British East India Company, http://singapuranews.multiply.com/journal/item/10218/10218

Book Research 2

The History of Underclothes

Ainnington, P; Willett, C, 1992., The History of Underclothes, London: Dover Publications.

What was accepted in the 1900s - coloured shirts and already attached collars.

Underwear - an undervest with natural-coloured wool, cotton or silk.

'Pants' were ankle-length or kid-calf, 'Drawers' were just above or below the knee.

This is Count D'Orsay 1828 photographed by Maclise.

I've added him in as he has the eccentricity that i want for Mr Toad. His jacket, waistcoat and trousers are all of different fabrics and colours with a pocket watch, umbrella and monocle.

These are tracings from Costume 1066-1990s

Peacock, J., 1986, Costume 1066-1990s, London: Thames and Hudson

I chose these ones to add as I can see parts of Mr Toad in all of them, i think this would sum up his wardrobe at this time.

Anderson Black, j., Garland, M., 1975, A History of Fashion, London: Orbis Publishing Ltd

Book Research 1

Costume Reference 7: The Edwardians

Sichel, M., 1978, Costume Reference 7: The Edwardians, Essex: The Anchor Press Ltd.

The Frock Coat has come out of fashion accept for formal occasions, so to take its place came the morning coat with sloping cut-away front or a lounge jacket.

I think Mr Toad would be more of a lounge suit wearing man according to the images i've found, however i don't think he wore anything with convention.

Lounge suits were worn most, generally made of a tweed or striped material and narrow trousers with a sharp crease down the front, shirts had high stiff collars (usually around 8cm tall) with a bow tie.

Waistcoats were very much around, they could be patterned in light fabrics for summer and knitted for winter. knotted cardigans, waistcoats and sweaters were quite popular, particular;y for sports and informal wear. Single-breasted were usually worn with lounge suits, they were usually high cut with a V-openings and a lapel collar. Generally the waistcoat had three pockets...one on the top left and one at the bottom on each side, they also generally had five buttons and one extra vertical button hole for a pocket watch chain.

Knickerbockers are like loose knee breeches fastened with a band, buckled or buttoned just below the knee and worn with wooly socks.

Knickerbockers were popular for sports like golf and shooting-things that i think Mr Toad would have been into at some point.

Country wear was generally tweed jackets and matching knickerbockers and a soft rounded hat.

Tweed Norfolk jackets have box pleats in the front and back.

Shoes were more popular than boots-they had rounded toes they bulged at the front known as bulldog toes. Shoes could be black, brown or tan and were made of leather.

Hair - Centre partings were popular, it was kept flat with creams and oils.

Gloves were always worn in town made of suede, leather or cloth, however i think Mr Toad needs driving gloves-made of cotton or silk backed with leather on the inside of the palms. I also think Mr Toad would need a pocket watch and tie pin.

Inventions

The Lumier Brothers invented the motion picture camera and projector in 1895

http://blogs.ubc.ca/etec540sept09/author/hmoeini/

Gottlieb Daimler invented this four wheeled motor vehicle in 1888

http://www.gistpianocenter.com/steinwayhistory.php

Thomas Edison invented the photograph in 1877

http://myronricharddennison.com/Stories/Thomas%20Alva%20Edison.html

Alexandar Bell invented the telephone in 1876

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=https://reich-chemistry.wikispaces.com/file/view/the_first_telephone.jpg/31489413/the_first_telephone.jpg&imgrefurl=https://reich-chemistry.wikispaces.com/R.%2BStacey%2BTime%2BLine%2BProject&usg=__e5jMQzalgqiOaSYZGCv9WdUQ0j4=&h=500&w=327&sz=60&hl=en&start=16&zoom=1&tbnid=ei57LHizXosmOM:&tbnh=160&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dalexander%2Bbell%2Btelephone%2B1876%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1012%26bih%3D664%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C502&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=248&ei=TtKsTLbCO9S5jAeFjd3PCw&oei=TNKsTODHB4mHswbGyMGTBw&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:16&tx=79&ty=125&biw=1012&bih=664

I have chosen these inventions specifically to look at as i think these are the sorts of things Mr Toad would have in his house. He has an obsession with motor cars in particular and i think that i need research for the attire people would have for driving one.