school and such

2005-11-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

I am going to start off this blog a little differently, by stating that this is the novel that I have enjoyed the most so far. I found Eliza’s decent into madness both comical and heart wrenching. Her loose grip on reality tends to bring a new light to every situation she is in. The first real indication I found that Eliza was a few chips short of a chocolate chip cookie was in the scene in Oxford with Sarah and her godfather Dr. Hookaneye, or rather through the disappearance of Dr. Hookaneye. In my experience, if things start to go awry in someone’s life they do not turn into a watery substance and float away down the drain. However, my life tends to remain slightly on the sane side, so who knows what I’ve been missing out on. If Eliza’s life is any indication, I have been missing a lot. This dissolving, so to speak, could be one of Gardam’s devices in indicating an escape. I find that almost all of the male characters in the novel tend to be granted an escape, while the only female to find such a similar release is Jane (an essay all to itself). They find their way out in many forms: some through desertion, some through affairs, and some through death. Yet, strangely enough, as many find their way out, some are either forced into the life of the Road. Mr. Deecie is forced to depend on the people who hurt him most in the world when he loses his beloved wife, and Henry desperately attempts to regain his status in his home when professing that he is still in love with his wife. I found this novel to be engaging and very interesting with it’s twists and turns which, although surprising, always seem to ring true. Much like Jane’s earrings, one might say...

2005-11-02T10:08:00.000-08:00

I found the images of mixed/cross culture in Hanif Kureishi’s TheBuddha of Suburbia fascinating. These ideas come through splendidly through Karim’s parents’ marriage. The things about one another that used to draw them to each other, i.e. his exoticism and her British identity, are also the tools that were used to push them apart. This is displayed within the first chapter of the novel, when Karim’s father is practicing his yoga so that he can teach his beliefs to the upper crust of suburbia. His mother is disgusted by his father’s actions, while he finds Karim’s mother’s nagging to be dull and boring. Yet is a woman with the same interests and beliefs that creates sparks with God, as Karim calls his father. It is this shared love for the eastern culture that is able to draw Eva and ‘God’ together, where as the relationship of God and Karim’s mother is doomed to failure as neither one really appreciates the other, or their beliefs. This duality can also be seen through Karim himself. His interest in most things that are British, as well as the fact that he has never left England, portray him to have a very British persona through much of the novel. He is into the scene that was very much portrayed in the late sixties and early seventies through sex, drugs and rock and roll. Yet at the same time he still retains much of his eastern heritage. This is apparent through his choice of dress, his attention to his father’s own personal traditions and beliefs, food preferences, and through many of friends who are also of Indian descent. Through the duality of Karim, who seems to never be one hundred percent comfortable in his own skin, the reader is able to see the racial struggle which is an underlying theme within the text.

2005-10-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

In the novel Metroland, Julian Barnes tackles the question of truth and illusion through the artist lifestyle, and more importantly the abandonment of said life style by the protagonist Chris. If this novel is his way of asking the reader said question, I personally would answer that art is the illusion of truth, which is perhaps why it is so popular. This is displayed through the relationships that Chris has in the novel. The opening of the book, the scene of the women enrapt by the portrait, is a perfect example. As Chris pointed out, she was either fast asleep, or else enjoying the piece so much that she felt it would look better with her eyes closed. My impression is that this woman is trying to create an illusion herself, as many people do, of appreciating art while really not understanding anything about it. This woman sets up the novel to show that perhaps the majority of the novel is spent trying to show others that Chris is truly appreciating art while in reality he is not entirely sure just what it is he is appreciating. This is also clear in his relationship with Annick. Although he spends much time with her, and loses his virginity to her, he is constantly attempting to analyze her rather than just enjoying her company. It seems that he does not feel in control of the situation unless he can attempt to place some truth into it. In the end he creates a false truth, such as trying to prove to himself that he was indeed in love with Annick. Through his constant attempts to create a false truth just leads to the invention of the illusion that he was so desperately trying to avoid. Through many of his relationships with the people in the course of the novel Chris displays how through his own artfulness he creates illusions in every situation he is placed in.

2005-10-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

In his novel The Cement Garden Ian McEwan wastes no time in shocking his audience with the secrets of suburbia. Within the first chapter, McEwan displays the sexual taboos being played out behind closed doors. The incest that goes on between Jack, Sue and Julie is even a mystery to their parents. The children do not seem to understand just what it is that their ‘game’ is, however they are all aware that it is wrong. This is displayed through the fact that Sue, the youngest of the three, is the only one willing to undress for her siblings’ complete and thorough examination. Also, their knowledge of the immorality of their actions comes through with the locking of the door by placing a chair up against the handle. It creates an air of the illicit goings on in an area which is usually prided for being so calm and proper. This is reinforced with the reoccurring imagery of Jack pleasuring himself to the images of at first his sisters together, then just his older sister Julie. Later, not only is this air of incest acted upon by the older siblings, but also, it is finally declared how wrong a society would think of it through the voice of Derek. Upon discovering Julie and Jack together he tells her “‘It’s sick…he’s your brother’” (McEwan, 136). We as an audience are able to see the development between the characters, but it all comes back to that fact. Society will never accept it. Yet, as McEwan points out, they do not need society’s approval. They’ll just attempt to keep it behind closed doors.

Works Cited

McEwan, Ian. The Cement Garden. Great Britian: Vintage, 1978.

2005-10-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

The production of Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party was much different than I had seen it being in the text. For one, there was much more humour in it, as was mainly seen through Beverly. Also, the appearances of the actors were different from how I had pictured the characters being in my mind. This created a sense of needing to get to know the characters from scratch once again. However, seeing it played out really did help my perception of what was actually happening beneath the surface. The tender ways in which Laurence reacts to Sue is a prime example. Reading the text, you get a feel that Laurence is always attempting to watch out for Sue, but after seeing the manner in which he handles situations and conversations in regard to her, such as the music lessons dialogue or the sandwich debacle, it seems as if he has a fondness for her that he has long since lost for his own wife. Also, the rising attraction between Beverly and Tony is much more apparent when seen, rather than just read. From the looks Beverly gives Tony while asking about his history as a football player, or even just idle conversation, she is constantly throwing hungry little glances his way. More importantly, the audience is able to see Tony return the looks, and watch the hostess in a manner that would suggest that he is equally attracted to her. Of course the counter play of the lack of confidence on Angela’s part really starts to shine through, and her husband’s utter annoyance at her basically screams how unhappy he is. Seeing the play acted out really brings to focus the true hidden depths of the work.

2005-09-13T15:34:00.000-07:00

In the British sitcom The Good Life viewers are given two positive and negative outlooks on modernity and suburbia through the two couples. Tom and Barbara are the positive example of accepting into your life only as much of the modern as you need in order to sustain a healthy lifestyle. By allowing that small amount in and by relying on their own abilities, as well as the skills of one another, not only do they feel a greater sense of accomplishment but they come to have a stronger bond with one another. Also, they appreciate the little things that they are able to achieve as a team over the larger material gains of the usual suburban lifestyle. Jerry and Margot on the other hand depend very heavily on technology and the proper image of the suburban life. They value the possessions which they have acquired through this acceptance of modernity. This dependency reflects not only in their behaviour and in their home, but also in their relationship with one another. Margot is unable to perform many tasks without the aid of her husband. She became trapped within a perception that women can only maintain the home, and as such is more of a nuisance to Jerry than a help. Their relationship can be seen as being strained, Jerry trying to manipulate his way to the top in a job which he does not like while Margot lives within the confines of the suburban life. While Tom and Barbara have twisted the modern suburban lifestyle to suit them and their relationship, Jerry and Margot have gotten trapped within a system which has become destructive to them.