| I think Doolittle implies that he has threatened Eliza with a strap in the past, not necessarily hit her with one. Eliza also mentions in the text that she has had a black eye before, but that's not necessarily from her father -- it could have been in school, with another flower girl trying to move in on her turf, etc. It's possible that Doolittle hit her to keep her disciplined, but years ago corporal punishment at least here in the U.S. was legal -- not sure about the UK. Also, not sure if one whack would be considered excessive, though nowadays with some parenting advocates it might be. |
