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3.1.4.1 Names.
** What is the origin of the name "Heavenly
Creatures?"
The term appears in a poem "The Ones That I Worship" written by Pauline
and recited by Melanie Lynskey in the film's voiceover (see also 7.4). Pauline used the
term to refer to herself and Juliet, intending it to encompass all of their physical and
spiritual 'identities.' The girls did not use the term "heavenly creatures"
explicitly in any conversation in the film. The term "heavenly creatures"
appears in all popular and scholarly articles written around or slightly after the trial,
though it does not appear in some articles written substantially after the trial. The
version of the poem used by the filmmakers (and quoted widely by the press at the time of
the trial) was obtained from the version read into testimony during the trial.
** The two "Heavenly Creatures" go by
many names. Why?
First, the two girls are called different names in the film by different
people--this is true to life but not often seen in movies. Second, the girls invent names
for the imaginary characters who people their "Fourth World" and their imaginary
Kingdom of "Borovnia" and they address each other by those names from time to
time, and increasingly so as the film progresses. The constant renaming of the girls
throughout the film suggests themes of continual rebirth and transformation.
** By what names is Juliet known in the film?
Juliet: Used by Juliet's parents, by Pauline's parents, by teachers and authority
figures. Antoinette: Juliet's self-chosen name in French class. There is an interesting
real-life connection between this name and Anne Perry, who has maintained an abiding
interest in the French Revolution (see 7.10.2). Julie: Used familiarly by Pauline in
April, 1953 at Port Levy and, significantly, in the devastating final moments of the film.
Giulietta: Used familiarly by Pauline in May, 1953. Deborah: Used as Juliet's "Fourth
World" and 'Borovnian' name by Pauline and as her given name from Christmas 1953
onward. The girls pronounce it "deh-BORE-ah."
** By what names is Pauline known in the film?
Pauline: Used by teachers and other authority figures. Paulette: Pauline's
self-chosen name in French class. Paul: Used familiarly by schoolmates and Mrs Hulme, and
by Juliet up to Christmas 1953. Yvonne: Used by Pauline's family (her middle name).
Charles: Pauline's pen name in letters to Juliet when Juliet was confined to the TB
sanatorium. Gina: Used by Juliet and by Pauline herself as her "Fourth World"
and 'Borovnian' name, and as Pauline's given name after Christmas 1953. Pauline demanded,
unsuccessfully, that her mother address her as Gina. Hilda Hulme did use this name for
Pauline. This name was used by Juliet in the final "ship" scene.
** By what names is John-the-boarder known in the
film?
John: Used by everyone but Pauline. Nicholas: Pauline's 'Borovnian' name for John.
** Where does the family name "Parker"
occur in the story?
Only one character is referred to by the name "Parker" in the film, and
she is 'Nana' Parker, Pauline's maternal grandmother. Nana Parker is seen sitting quietly
in the living/dining room in several scenes, including the two "Christmas"
scenes, and at table for several meals. Pauline recounts a story told to her by Nana
Parker, during a quarrel with her mother in the Riepers' kitchen.
** Who is Pauline Parker? Is she Pauline Rieper?
Pauline Parker is known as Pauline Rieper in the film. This is true to fact--up
until the murder took place, the real Pauline used the family name Rieper and she was
known as Pauline Rieper. Since the film is only concerned with the time before and up to
the murder, Pauline's family name is Rieper in "Heavenly Creatures." Dr Hulme,
of course, referred to Pauline as "that... Rieper girl."
** Why in real life is it called the "Parker
Hulme" murder?
Pauline's mother and father were never legally married--a fact revealed by the
police investigation following the murder but not known to Pauline or anyone else in the
community (except Nana Parker) up to that point. Hence, the legal family name of Pauline's
mother when she was murdered was still Parker, even though she went by the name Rieper. In
all official real-life references to her in police reports and the press she is called
Honora Parker. Similarly, Pauline's legal name at the time of the murder was Pauline
Parker because she was never legally adopted by her father and that was what she was
called in real-life documents and reports after the murder. This whole business of marital
status and legal names must have been tremendously humiliating and a cruel additional
stress for the already-suffering Rieper family. It was common in those times to describe
women by their marital status in news accounts. For example, Hilda Hulme was referred to
as "Hilda Marion Hulme, a married woman,..." in The Press (Christchurch).
Legitimacy was still very much an important social concept in 1954, especially in
Christchurch, and Pauline was now publicly declared to be a bastard on top of all the
other labels she would acquire. The press and public made two important concessions to the
Riepers, however, in recognition of their standing in the community and in sympathy for
their suffering. They may seem small measures to modern sensibilities, but they would not
have gone un-noticed or unappreciated at the time. First, Honora Parker was almost always
referred to as Mrs Parker, in tacit recognition of her being the de facto wife of Mr
Rieper. Second, neither she nor Mr Rieper were ever referred to as being the 'common-law'
spouse, which would have been legally correct but would have just drawn excessive
attention to the fact that the two were not legally married. However, newspaper accounts
did not refer to Herbert Rieper as "husband of..." but usually stated that he
had lived with Honora Parker as her husband for 23 years. The number '23' was supplied by
Herbert Rieper and has an interesting story attached to it (see 3.2.9). "Heavenly
Creatures" is precise and correct in these matters. The information presented at the
start of the film identifies Pauline as Pauline Parker, but most viewers don't retain the
surname at that point. By the time the end notes are shown, the audience has come to know
Pauline as Pauline Rieper. The short statement used to explain why Pauline was charged as
Pauline Parker is then a poignant one.
** How might the Riepers' marital status have
affected things?
For Pauline to obtain a passport, she would have had to register herself under her
true, legal name. This would have meant Honora and Herbert would have been obliged to
admit to their family that they weren't married and that all children were illegitimate.
It seems unlikely that Honora would have told Pauline these things and they might have
been powerful reasons why she wouldn't allow Pauline to get a passport.
** Who was "The most hideous man
alive?"
Orson Welles, of course. Or, was it? See 3.1.20.
