Talk:Phryne Fisher

'title'

"During World War I several young men between the 'title' and her father died, thus making her an Hon with an enormous fortune." – What does «'title'» refer to? -- Michael Bednarek (talk) 13:38, 6 September 2013 (UTC)

For Phryne to be referred to as "The Honourable" means that her father inherited a Peerage title. Could be anything up to a Viscountcy. I haven't read the books so I don't know if they specify what the title was. ~ Brother William (talk) 09:57, 14 October 2013 (UTC)

The problem is that the wording is wrong. The daughter of anything from a baron to a viscount is automatically granted the style of "the honourable", so what do the deaths of "several young men" have to do with anything? As worded, it suggests that she inherited the style because all the other heirs above her father died, which isn't how it works. To be clearer, it should say that the other heirs to a title expired in the war, and her father inherited it; as his daughter, she was granted the style. Also, you can't leave in pseudo-terms like "Hon" and "the 'title'", because it looks like a sandbox experiment, a placeholder for info that is missing. 12.233.147.42 (talk) 02:19, 25 August 2014 (UTC) [EDIT] Greenwood confuses the issue further when, in Blood and Circuses, Phryne states that her father is now an earl (his previous inheritance apparently having made him heir to the earldom), but Greenwood doesn't upgrade Phryne's style. As the daughter of an earl, she would be styled "Lady Phryne Fisher", and unlike her previous style it would actually be used when addressing her (as "Lady Phryne" or "Lady Fisher"). 12.233.147.42 (talk) 02:50, 25 August 2014 (UTC)

I'm probably a bit slow, but it's still not clear to me from reading the article what title Phryne's father inherited. As for the author's unclear understanding of English styling, we obviously can't mention that in the article unless it's quoted from a reliable source. -- Michael Bednarek (talk) 07:26, 25 August 2014 (UTC)

You are probably not clear because the author is not clear. It is just a device to give Phryne lots of money and a title. It is not actually likely for a British or English title for someone to become an Earl without being aware of it. A 4th son for example could if the first 3 sons had been killed in the war, but the title does to pass to cousins and so on. Scottish titles, however do, but I do not think there is any mention of a Scottish connection. There was a bus driver in Australia who was suddenly told he had inherited a Scottish title. The other problem of course is whether an Earl would have that amount of money. Even by 1918 they were beginning to suffer a lose of wealth. Just treat it as a literary device. --Bduke (Discussion) 08:55, 25 August 2014 (UTC)

According to season three episode 1 (Death Defying Feats), Phryne's father is The Baron of Rich. -- Willthacheerleader18 (talk) 00:30, 9 August 2018 (UTC)

Information provided in the Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries is not canon to the book series. Only information written in the series or provided by the author applies to Phyrne Fisher of the book series. Mburrell (talk) 03:25, 9 August 2018 (UTC)

Category: "Fictional gentleman detectives"

I'm uncertain why this page is in Category:Fictional_gentleman_detectives. I see a few other women in there, but it seems rather sloppy to me. I don't think Greenwood considers Phryne a "gentleman" and it certainly doesn't seem to refer to Inspector Robinson. Is this just someone reaching when attempting to populate the category and can it be deleted? Ruthbrarian (talk) 21:32, 27 December 2015 (UTC)

When Fictional Gentleman Detectives category was added, I assumed it was for Inspector Robinson, so I think the answer to one part of the question above is that it certainly does refer to Inspector Robinson. However, the Wikipedia article is not about the series, but about a fictional character, Phryne Fisher, and so the category can be deleted. I will do so now. Mburrell (talk) 22:16, 27 December 2015 (UTC)

She belongs in the category because "gentleman detective" refers to a detective who is also a member of the British gentry (which the Hon. Miss Fisher is). -- Willthacheerleader18 (talk) 17:16, 16 July 2018 (UTC)

Citation needed

"Her personality seems to match exactly that of her 4th century BC namesake, Phryne.: This statement needs support from a reliable source, including reliable descriptions of the characters' personalities. The claim "exactly" is unlikely to be supported by a reliable source, so it probably needs to be dialed back. "... seems to ..." is a classic case of weasel-wording. "Seems" to whom? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 139.68.134.1 (talk) 17:15, 1 March 2016 (UTC)

Phyrne's history

Citation as requested - The conversation between Phyrne and Madame Lin occurs after Phyrne has rescued Lin (intact except for the loss of an ear) from pirates and an evil cousin. It's in Chapter 18 of "Away with the Fairies".

"When Lin is required to marry," said Phyrne  deliberately, "he will still associate with me. We are too close now to be separated. You will need to choose a wife who understands this". 

Madame Lin inclined her beautiful head. "I have thought of this," she replied "And such a woman shall be found, and the bargain, Miss Fisher, is made." — Preceding unsigned comment added by Debbief26 (talk • contribs) 22:03, 12 October 2016 (UTC)

I am sorry to be dense, but what is this a citation for? From the sequence of the talk page, it would appear to be the citation that was requested in the section above, except that the citation does not support any statement in the section above, except maybe by original research. Therefore, I do not understand what the citation's purpose is. Can Debbief26 be more explicit in what the citation is for? Thank you in advance, Mburrell (talk) 04:40, 13 October 2016 (UTC)

Let me quote the section of the article which was referenced in the heading:

"Lin is the only lover with whom she maintains a relationship for more than a few books and even goes so far as to make a deal with his autocratic and overbearing grandmother that after he is married, she (Phryne) be allowed to continue a friendship with him.[citation needed]" — Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.147.8.86 (talk) 14:35, 13 October 2016 (UTC)

Well then, add the citation. This does not seem like a matter for the talk page, as this does not need a discussion. It just requires an editor to go into the article and add the citation. You found the citation, go ahead and do the work. Mburrell (talk) 05:09, 14 October 2016 (UTC)

Aristocrat

It is stated that Fisher's father inherited a title of peerage, upon which she became The Honourabe Phryne Fisher. Do we know what type of peer her father was? As she was granted the customary style of "honourable" he had to have either been a baron or a viscount. Do we know which? -- Willthacheerleader18 (talk) 05:35, 16 July 2018 (UTC)

This has been discussed above at 'title'. -- Michael Bednarek (talk) 07:00, 16 July 2018 (UTC)

Red Ragger

In this sentence:

"With the assistance of her maid Dot, and Bert and Cec (who are wharfies, taxi drivers and red raggers), she solves all manner of crimes as a quintessentially Australian construction."

The three professions in this sentence are slang words from the period. "Wharfies" and "taxi drivers" are obvious enough, but "red ragger" is more obscure, and I think more information should be provided rather than linking directly to the communist article, either as a parenthetical comment or a footnote or both.

"With the assistance of her maid Dot, and Bert and Cec (who are wharfies, taxi drivers and red raggers, (Australian slang of that period meaning communists), she solves all manner of crimes as a quintessentially Australian construction.

References