The Ash–Blackadder Rivalry

Possession

Blackadder’s national and editorial responsibilities repeatedly collide with Cropper’s money, ambition, and rival vision of scholarly custody.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Ash Factory The Ash Factory from "Possession". A Long Editorial Task Blackadder’s Work James Blackadder has spent decades editing Ash, a project that has grown far beyond the finite task he once imagined.

The Ash Factory from "Possession". A Long Editorial Task Blackadder’s Work James Blackadder has spent decades editing Ash, a project that has grown far beyond the finite task he once imagined.

A Long Editorial Task Blackadder’s Work James Blackadder has spent decades editing Ash, a project that has grown far beyond the finite task he once imagined. His assistants gather references while footnotes proliferate. Professional Identity Blackadder understands himself as subordinate to Ash’s work, yet fiercely protective of it. His rivalry with Cropper is partly a dispute about where British manuscripts should remain and who should control them.

The New Discovery The New Discovery from "Possession". News from Roland Caution and Excitement Roland reports the Vico annotations, and Blackadder immediately worries that Cropper will learn of them.

The New Discovery from "Possession". News from Roland Caution and Excitement Roland reports the Vico annotations, and Blackadder immediately worries that Cropper will learn of them.

News from Roland Caution and Excitement Roland reports the Vico annotations, and Blackadder immediately worries that Cropper will learn of them. He sends Roland back toward the archive while trying to prevent the papers from crossing the Atlantic. Trust Under Pressure Blackadder’s practical concern makes him an imperfect mentor: he supports Roland’s work but does not create an easy atmosphere of openness. The discovery accelerates their rivalry with Cropper.

A Public Campaign A Public Campaign from "Possession". Competing Claims National Heritage Blackadder contacts officials and argues that the correspondence should remain in Britain.

A Public Campaign from "Possession". Competing Claims National Heritage Blackadder contacts officials and argues that the correspondence should remain in Britain.

Competing Claims National Heritage Blackadder contacts officials and argues that the correspondence should remain in Britain. He resists Cropper’s claim that a private collection has the resources and expertise to preserve it best. Limited Power Funding and government support remain uncertain. Blackadder’s moral argument is stronger than his financial position, and he must rely on public attention and alliances with other scholars.

The Television Interview The Television Interview from "Possession". A Difficult Performance Blackadder on Air Blackadder struggles to reduce Ash’s importance to brief television claims.

The Television Interview from "Possession". A Difficult Performance Blackadder on Air Blackadder struggles to reduce Ash’s importance to brief television claims.

A Difficult Performance Blackadder on Air Blackadder struggles to reduce Ash’s importance to brief television claims. Leonora Stern helps him frame Ash as a major love poet and LaMotte as more than a neglected female counterpart. Unexpected Alliance The interview does not settle ownership, but it gives Blackadder public support and a working relationship with Leonora. His scholarly reserve has to adapt to a media contest he dislikes.

The Cemetery Alliance The Cemetery Alliance from "Possession". Rivals Unite A Common Threat Blackadder joins Maud, Roland, Leonora, Beatrice, Val, and Euan to prevent Cropper from secretly disturbing the grave.

The Cemetery Alliance from "Possession". Rivals Unite A Common Threat Blackadder joins Maud, Roland, Leonora, Beatrice, Val, and Euan to prevent Cropper from secretly disturbing the grave.

Rivals Unite A Common Threat Blackadder joins Maud, Roland, Leonora, Beatrice, Val, and Euan to prevent Cropper from secretly disturbing the grave. The former editorial rivalry becomes secondary to the immediate danger. Limits of Victory The group recovers the box and reads LaMotte’s letter, but the legal and archival disputes remain. Blackadder’s role changes from gatekeeper to participant in a shared revelation.

Before Roland’s discovery

September 1986

After Cropper announces the correspondence

During the public dispute

The night Cropper excavates