Sentence Summary: The experiences of suffering, griefing, and reconciliation are shown through the perspectives of Oskar Schell, the 9-year old son of a 9/11 victim, and his grandparents, survivors of the Dresden fire-bombings.
Paragraph Summary: Oskar Schell, a 9-year old whose father was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, is having a very difficult time dealing with his grief. He is a very intelligent boy who is constantly coming up with imaginative inventions, some of which add to his depression. One day, he finds a key in his fathers closet with the word 'Black' written on the envelope. He discerns that this must be someones last name, and decides to contact every person in New York City with the last name Black. On his quest, he encounters many interesting people, several of whom tell him their life story. One of the Blacks who lives in the same building as him befriends Oskar and begins accompanying him on his visits. They grow close. During the time of his quest, Oskar's mom also deals with her grief, but in a much more reserved manner which angers Oskar. Also, letters from Oskars grandparents are revealed at varying intervals. These letters outline their unusual relationship and their personal struggles with grief and suffering. Oskar unknowingly meets his grandfather near the end of the novel, and his grandfather is very happy to be in his life, although he does not know how to express this. Oskar finally finds out that the key opens the lock box of one of the Blacks dead fathers. He is disappointed, but appears to be coping with his grief in a much more positive manner at the end of the novel.
Close Reading: Pg. 239: "I couldn't tell what he was feeling, because I couldn't speak the language of his feelings."
In this sentence, Oskar is expressing his inability to understand what emotion Fo Black, a Chinese-speaking man, is feeling during their encounter. Prior to this sentence, Oskar comments on how the language barrier between himself and Fo makes their exchange difficult. Because of this, I was initially inclined to understand this sentence as Oskar simply commenting on the language barrier between Fo and himself. However, after examining the nature of Oskar's narrative, I feel that this statement has deeper meaning than this. Throughout the novel, there are several hints which indicate that Oskar has written his narrative after experiencing all of the events which he writes about. For example, on page three, he says, "I've only been in a limousine twice ever" despite the fact that he does not discuss his second time until very late in the novel. This establishes the retrospective nature of Oskar's narrative. He is writing about these events well after they occurred, which means he has had the opportunity to gain new insight into or to develop new perspectives on these events. On several occasions early in the novel, Oskar expresses an inability to understand how his mother is feeling about the death of his father. He does not understand why she does not appear to be as upset as he thinks she should be. This makes him very upset. At the very end of the novel, Oskar has an emotional conversation with his mother and begins to understand that she has been dealing with and expressing her emotions in a much different manner than himself. He has begun to understand that people have their own way of feeling, or their own 'language'. He expresses this new perspective on people's feelings through his story about Fo. This raises some questions. How many of Oskar's perspectives were formed after reflecting on the events of this novel? How many of his opinions were altered after all the events of this novel had occurred?
Monday, November 28, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Mrs. Dalloway
Sentence Summary: On the day of Clarissa Dalloway's party, Clarissa, along with her friends and neighbors, go about their lives, constantly thinking about their pasts, and contemplating human existence.
Paragraph Summary: Clarissa Dalloway sets out to buy flowers for her party that evening. On the way to the shop, she reflects on her past, and how she loves life. She runs into Hugh Whitbread, prompting her to think of Peter Walsh; an old friend who disliked Hugh and had asked Clarissa to marry him. Once in the shop, a loud car is heard. It is a luxurious car, and everyone around ponders who is inside. Septimus Smith, a mentally ill war veteran, also hears the car. His wife Rezia reflects on how her husband's strangeness concerns her, although she still loves him deeply. Once at home, Clarissa reflects on her zeal for life. This leads her to think of Sally Seton, a woman whom Clarissa admires. Clarissa begins to mend a dress for her party that night. Peter Walsh arrives unexpectedly. Peter critisizes Clarissa in his mind for wasting her life with social activities. Clarissa wonders if she would have been happier marrying Peter. On his walk from Clarissa's, Peter's thoughts repeatedly return to Clarissa, although he claims he no longer has feelings for her. He reaches a park where he falls asleep and has a dream of himself as a solitary traveler. This dream makes him think of a time when Clarissa was heartless to another woman. During this same memory, Clarissa tells Peter she will not marry him. Peter crosses paths with the Smiths in the park. He views them as an ordinary young couple having a fight. Peter tells himself he is not in love with Clarissa anymore. An old woman is heard singing a love song, and Peter pities her, but Rezia is comforted by the song. Details of Septimus's past are revealed. Prior to the war, he fell in love with an older woman and wrote poetry. After the war, Septimus could seldom feel emotion. Septimus is taken by Rezia to see Sir William Bradshaw, a psychiatrist. Sir William is not sympathetic to Septimus's case, and feels he can be easily cured. Hugh Whitbread and Richard Dalloway have lunch at Lady Bruton's. Lady Bruton has Hugh write a letter to the newspaper about emigration to Canada for her. On his way home, Richard picks up flowers for Clarissa. Miss Kilman, a religious yet hateful woman, takes Elizabeth shoping. Miss Kilman talks to her about the freedom women have in her generation. Elizabeth leaves after Miss Kilman's manner begins to irritate her. At the Smith's, Septimus begins to act like himself again. He helps Rezia design a hat, and she is overcome with joy. Minutes later, Dr. Holmes arrives at their home. Septimus kills himself before the docter can speak to him, his final act of defiance. On his way to his hotel, Peter recalls more memories of Clarissa. He then thinks about the woman he is to marry, Daisy, and expresses mixed feelings. Clarissa's party starts, and she worries whether or not it will be a success. Clarissa is reunited with Sally, but it doesn't feel like it used to. Clarissa learns of Septimus's death, and feels a certain connection with him. The novel ends with Peter realizing that Clarissa still affects him greatly.
Close Reading: Pg. 86 "He went to France to save an England which consisted almost entirely of Shakespeare's plays and Miss Isabel Pole in a green dress walking in a square."
When I first read this sentence, I was confused as to whether this was Septimus's perspective, or that of the omniscient narrator. Of course, the whole story is told by the omniscient narrator, but nearly exclusively through the perspectives of various characters. Only during a few paragraphs of this novel does the narrator tell the story without adopting the perspective of one of the characters. One instance of this occurs right before this sentence, when Septimus's past is described. Because of the fact that the narrator descibes Septimus's past without adopting the perspective of a character only a few paragraphs before this sentence, I am inclined to think that this sentence is also from the perspective of the narrator. Reading the line this way makes Septimus's feelings before the war much more objective. If these feelings had been expressed from Septimus's perspective, I would be skeptical to accept them. In his state of despair, I would not trust him to recount what aspects of England made him feel strongly enough to go to war. By having the narrator tell us these things instead, a greater sense of authenticity is felt. This authenticity is important in constructing Septimus's past character. Without the neutral perspective of the narrator in this instance, we would not have been given a clear indication that prior to the war, Septimus was capable of feeling passionate emotion. And without knowing this about Septimus's past, the reader would not fully understand the tragedy of his present.
Paragraph Summary: Clarissa Dalloway sets out to buy flowers for her party that evening. On the way to the shop, she reflects on her past, and how she loves life. She runs into Hugh Whitbread, prompting her to think of Peter Walsh; an old friend who disliked Hugh and had asked Clarissa to marry him. Once in the shop, a loud car is heard. It is a luxurious car, and everyone around ponders who is inside. Septimus Smith, a mentally ill war veteran, also hears the car. His wife Rezia reflects on how her husband's strangeness concerns her, although she still loves him deeply. Once at home, Clarissa reflects on her zeal for life. This leads her to think of Sally Seton, a woman whom Clarissa admires. Clarissa begins to mend a dress for her party that night. Peter Walsh arrives unexpectedly. Peter critisizes Clarissa in his mind for wasting her life with social activities. Clarissa wonders if she would have been happier marrying Peter. On his walk from Clarissa's, Peter's thoughts repeatedly return to Clarissa, although he claims he no longer has feelings for her. He reaches a park where he falls asleep and has a dream of himself as a solitary traveler. This dream makes him think of a time when Clarissa was heartless to another woman. During this same memory, Clarissa tells Peter she will not marry him. Peter crosses paths with the Smiths in the park. He views them as an ordinary young couple having a fight. Peter tells himself he is not in love with Clarissa anymore. An old woman is heard singing a love song, and Peter pities her, but Rezia is comforted by the song. Details of Septimus's past are revealed. Prior to the war, he fell in love with an older woman and wrote poetry. After the war, Septimus could seldom feel emotion. Septimus is taken by Rezia to see Sir William Bradshaw, a psychiatrist. Sir William is not sympathetic to Septimus's case, and feels he can be easily cured. Hugh Whitbread and Richard Dalloway have lunch at Lady Bruton's. Lady Bruton has Hugh write a letter to the newspaper about emigration to Canada for her. On his way home, Richard picks up flowers for Clarissa. Miss Kilman, a religious yet hateful woman, takes Elizabeth shoping. Miss Kilman talks to her about the freedom women have in her generation. Elizabeth leaves after Miss Kilman's manner begins to irritate her. At the Smith's, Septimus begins to act like himself again. He helps Rezia design a hat, and she is overcome with joy. Minutes later, Dr. Holmes arrives at their home. Septimus kills himself before the docter can speak to him, his final act of defiance. On his way to his hotel, Peter recalls more memories of Clarissa. He then thinks about the woman he is to marry, Daisy, and expresses mixed feelings. Clarissa's party starts, and she worries whether or not it will be a success. Clarissa is reunited with Sally, but it doesn't feel like it used to. Clarissa learns of Septimus's death, and feels a certain connection with him. The novel ends with Peter realizing that Clarissa still affects him greatly.
Close Reading: Pg. 86 "He went to France to save an England which consisted almost entirely of Shakespeare's plays and Miss Isabel Pole in a green dress walking in a square."
When I first read this sentence, I was confused as to whether this was Septimus's perspective, or that of the omniscient narrator. Of course, the whole story is told by the omniscient narrator, but nearly exclusively through the perspectives of various characters. Only during a few paragraphs of this novel does the narrator tell the story without adopting the perspective of one of the characters. One instance of this occurs right before this sentence, when Septimus's past is described. Because of the fact that the narrator descibes Septimus's past without adopting the perspective of a character only a few paragraphs before this sentence, I am inclined to think that this sentence is also from the perspective of the narrator. Reading the line this way makes Septimus's feelings before the war much more objective. If these feelings had been expressed from Septimus's perspective, I would be skeptical to accept them. In his state of despair, I would not trust him to recount what aspects of England made him feel strongly enough to go to war. By having the narrator tell us these things instead, a greater sense of authenticity is felt. This authenticity is important in constructing Septimus's past character. Without the neutral perspective of the narrator in this instance, we would not have been given a clear indication that prior to the war, Septimus was capable of feeling passionate emotion. And without knowing this about Septimus's past, the reader would not fully understand the tragedy of his present.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Sentimental Education, Pt. 3
Sentence Summary: With the political turmoil of France reaching new heights, Frederic fails on two occasions to run for election, discusses politics with members of high society, leaves Rosanette and Madame Dambreuse because of Madame Arnoux, reunites with Madame Arnoux, and reflects on his life.
Paragraph Summary: After spending his first night with Rosanette, Frederic hears fighting in the streets and goes to investigate. He sees people storming and destroying the former king's palace. He meets up with Hussonnet, and they spot Dussardier, who is fighting for the Republic. Frederic sees Rosanette and she pledges her support for the Republic. After meeting with Dambreuse, Frederic is conviced to run for election. He attempts to give a speech at a meeting, but Senecal turns the crowd against him, and he leaves. One day, Frederic sees Arnoux coming to Rosanette's and realizes that he is still one of Rosanette's lovers. Frederic fills in for Arnoux at his guard post, and realizes that Arnoux asked him to do this so he could be alone with Rosanette. Rosanette tells Frederic she doesn't love Arnoux, and they go on a vacation together. Frederic returns to Paris after hearing that Dussardier had been wounded. Frederic then attends a party at the Dambreuses where a question by Roque reveals that Rosanette is his mistress. Louise and Madame Arnoux talk about Frederic, and the Madame says Frederic can be deceptive. Louise goes to see Frederic that night, but learns he hasn't slept at home in a long time, and she becomes very sad. Later, Arnoux visits Frederic and asks him to come by again. He does, but only the Madame is there. They tell each other they still love each other, but Rosanette interupts them. Frederic is upset, and Rosanette reveals she is pregnant. Frederic starts to fall out of love with her, and begins trying to woo Madame Dambreuse. He eventually does, and begins living a doubel life. His affair with Madame Dambreuse becomes mostly about social status as he realizes he doesn't love her. Monsieur Dambreuse dies, and the Madame asks Frederic to marry her. He agrees. After the funeral, Madame Dambreuse can't find the will that would give her her husband's fortune. Rosanette gives birth, and Frederic has to lie to Madame Dambreuse about where he was. Rosanette hints that she wants to marry Frederic, and this irritates him. Rosanette has unsettled debts, and eventually sues Arnoux for the money. After she wins the case, their baby dies. Pellerin paints a portrait for them, and informs Frederic that Arnoux is leaving paris. He needs money to help them, and gets it from Madame Dambreuse after lying to her. He can't save Arnoux, and one day he sees that their possessions are going to be sold. He blames Rosanette, they argue, and he leaves her. Then, when he is with Madame Dambreuse, she buys an item from the Arnoux's. Frederic is upset, and leaves her. He goes to Nogent, with the hope of marrying Louise, but sees that she is marrying Deslauries. He returns to Paris where he sees Dussardier killed by Senecal. After many years, Madame Arnoux visits Frederic, and they declare their love for each other, but they realize they can't be together. Frederic and Deslauries talk together about their lives and how they are essentially failures. They end by talking about a memory that they argee is the happiest of their lives.
Close Reading: Pg. 454 "Frederic, drunk with his own eloquence, began to believe what he was saying"
This sentence comes after Frederic tells Madame Arnoux how profoundly the thought of her used to fill him with passion. Although Frederic's speech is romanticized and exaggerated, it certaintly parallels feelings he expresses earlier in the novel. For this reason, I find it strange that this sentence hints at a level of insincertiy on Frederic's part. By saying that Frederic "began to believe what he was saying", the narrator is suggesting that prior to uttering these endearments, Frederic did not believe them to be true. It is only because he is "drunk with his own eloquence" that he begins to believe he is being sincere. This suggests that Frederic can convince himself that an insincere comment is sincere simply by speaking it in an eloquent fashion. This fact alters the way I read Frederic's character. If his feelings, specifically his feelings for Madame Arnoux, can be affected by his eloquence, how trustworthy are his declarations of love throughout the novel? What if Frederic convinced himself that he loved Madame Arnoux early in the novel simply by eloquently romanticizing about her? This skepticism can be applied to all of Frederic's declarations throughout the novel. How much of his speech during high society gatherings was actually insincere? How often was Frederic convinced of an idea because of his eloquence? This level on uncertainty regarding Frederic's sincerity forces the reader to be more skeptical of his claims, and to consider whether or not they are affected by his speech.
Paragraph Summary: After spending his first night with Rosanette, Frederic hears fighting in the streets and goes to investigate. He sees people storming and destroying the former king's palace. He meets up with Hussonnet, and they spot Dussardier, who is fighting for the Republic. Frederic sees Rosanette and she pledges her support for the Republic. After meeting with Dambreuse, Frederic is conviced to run for election. He attempts to give a speech at a meeting, but Senecal turns the crowd against him, and he leaves. One day, Frederic sees Arnoux coming to Rosanette's and realizes that he is still one of Rosanette's lovers. Frederic fills in for Arnoux at his guard post, and realizes that Arnoux asked him to do this so he could be alone with Rosanette. Rosanette tells Frederic she doesn't love Arnoux, and they go on a vacation together. Frederic returns to Paris after hearing that Dussardier had been wounded. Frederic then attends a party at the Dambreuses where a question by Roque reveals that Rosanette is his mistress. Louise and Madame Arnoux talk about Frederic, and the Madame says Frederic can be deceptive. Louise goes to see Frederic that night, but learns he hasn't slept at home in a long time, and she becomes very sad. Later, Arnoux visits Frederic and asks him to come by again. He does, but only the Madame is there. They tell each other they still love each other, but Rosanette interupts them. Frederic is upset, and Rosanette reveals she is pregnant. Frederic starts to fall out of love with her, and begins trying to woo Madame Dambreuse. He eventually does, and begins living a doubel life. His affair with Madame Dambreuse becomes mostly about social status as he realizes he doesn't love her. Monsieur Dambreuse dies, and the Madame asks Frederic to marry her. He agrees. After the funeral, Madame Dambreuse can't find the will that would give her her husband's fortune. Rosanette gives birth, and Frederic has to lie to Madame Dambreuse about where he was. Rosanette hints that she wants to marry Frederic, and this irritates him. Rosanette has unsettled debts, and eventually sues Arnoux for the money. After she wins the case, their baby dies. Pellerin paints a portrait for them, and informs Frederic that Arnoux is leaving paris. He needs money to help them, and gets it from Madame Dambreuse after lying to her. He can't save Arnoux, and one day he sees that their possessions are going to be sold. He blames Rosanette, they argue, and he leaves her. Then, when he is with Madame Dambreuse, she buys an item from the Arnoux's. Frederic is upset, and leaves her. He goes to Nogent, with the hope of marrying Louise, but sees that she is marrying Deslauries. He returns to Paris where he sees Dussardier killed by Senecal. After many years, Madame Arnoux visits Frederic, and they declare their love for each other, but they realize they can't be together. Frederic and Deslauries talk together about their lives and how they are essentially failures. They end by talking about a memory that they argee is the happiest of their lives.
Close Reading: Pg. 454 "Frederic, drunk with his own eloquence, began to believe what he was saying"
This sentence comes after Frederic tells Madame Arnoux how profoundly the thought of her used to fill him with passion. Although Frederic's speech is romanticized and exaggerated, it certaintly parallels feelings he expresses earlier in the novel. For this reason, I find it strange that this sentence hints at a level of insincertiy on Frederic's part. By saying that Frederic "began to believe what he was saying", the narrator is suggesting that prior to uttering these endearments, Frederic did not believe them to be true. It is only because he is "drunk with his own eloquence" that he begins to believe he is being sincere. This suggests that Frederic can convince himself that an insincere comment is sincere simply by speaking it in an eloquent fashion. This fact alters the way I read Frederic's character. If his feelings, specifically his feelings for Madame Arnoux, can be affected by his eloquence, how trustworthy are his declarations of love throughout the novel? What if Frederic convinced himself that he loved Madame Arnoux early in the novel simply by eloquently romanticizing about her? This skepticism can be applied to all of Frederic's declarations throughout the novel. How much of his speech during high society gatherings was actually insincere? How often was Frederic convinced of an idea because of his eloquence? This level on uncertainty regarding Frederic's sincerity forces the reader to be more skeptical of his claims, and to consider whether or not they are affected by his speech.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Sentimental Education, Pt. 2
Sentence Summary: Frederic, with his uncle's large inheritance in hand, returns to Paris where he once again spends time with the Arnoux's, becoming closer to the Madame during the couples marital struggles, begins pursuing another mistress, whom he finally seduces at the end of this section, spends his money frivolously, and dismisses his love for Madame Arnoux after he fails to make her his lover.
Paragraph Summary: Once back in Paris, Frederic discovers that the Arnoux's have moved after he tracks down and speaks with Regimbart. He visits them at their new house, and after seeing Madame Arnoux, he is suprised at his lack of emotion. He states that he will not think of her anymore, but spontaneously decides to call on her instead of visiting the Dambreuses. She is ill, and Frederic attends a party with Arnoux where he meets Rosanette, a loose woman who Frederic trys to make his mistress. Frederic buys himself a house, over-spending in the process. He calls on Madame Dambreuses and later Rosanette, establishing himself as a welcome guest in both houses. He then visits Madame Arnoux and discusses her husband's financial problems with her, gaining her trust in the process. Frederic then begins going with Arnoux to Rosanette's house on a regular basis. He learns that Rosanette is growing tired of having Arnoux as her lover, and he trys to maker her his mistress, but fails. The Arnoux's begin having marital troubles, and Frederic finds himself in the middle of their affairs. He urges both sides to seperate, but to no avail. Frederic lends money to Arnoux, despite having promised it to Deslauriers. Their friendship ends. Later, Frederic decides to neglect visiting Dambreuses for a job in favor of visiting Madame Arnoux. He finally tells her how he feels, but she rejects him, and Frederic decides to go after Rosanette in revenge. He takes her to the races, but is embarassed when Cisy is the one who takes her home. The two men meet for dinner the next day, and Frederic becomes enraged after Cisy makes a negative comment about Madame Arnoux, throwing a plate at Cisy. Frederic refuses to apologize and demands a duel. At the duel, Cisy faints and Arnoux arrives to break up the duel. Frederic then recieves a letter from his mother urging him to return home and marry Louise. In Paris, Deslauriers visits Madame Arnoux, declares that he loves her, and reveals that Frederic is soon to marry. After he leaves, Madame Arnoux realizes she loves Frederic. In Nogent, Frederic hesitantly agrees to marry Louise, but decides to go back to Paris and think first. He visits Rosanette, who seems interested in him, and talks to Madame Arnoux, who is upset at Frederic's proposed marriage. At Arnoux's factory, Frederic sees Madame Arnoux, tells her he still loves her, and begins seeing her again. Frederic becomes uneasy that they have not become lovers yet, so he rents an apartment with the plan of taking her there. However, she is forced to stay with her son that night, and decides to stop seeing Frederic. Frederic dismisses his love for her, and instead takes Rosanette to the apartment.
Close Reading, Pg. 181: "After that there was a profound silence; and everything in the apartment seemed more motionless than before."
This sentence calls to attention the subtle subjectivity of the narrator. This sentence is an example of free indirect discourse. It is obvious from the description of the silence as being "profound", and from the assertion that "the apartment seemed more motionless than before" that this sentence contains a level of subjectivity which seperates it from indirect discourse. In order to experience the profound nature of this silence or to percieve the relative stasis of the apartment, one must be present in this specific apartment. However, the subjectivity extends beyond this meer presence. In order to fully feel what this sentence states, one must have been engaged in the uncomfortable exchange preceding this statment. This narrows the subjectivity down to two perspectives: Frederic's and Madame Arnoux's. Looking at this sentence, there is nothing which would convince me that either perspective should be favored over the other. Both experienced the uncomfortable argument, and therefore both would be expected to experience a jarring effect after its sudden conclusion. Because of the lack of a distinction between whose perspective is being expressed, I read this sentence as expressing the shared perspective of everyone in the room: in this case, just Frederic and Madame Arnoux. Reading the sentence in this way establishes a connection between Frederic and Madame Arnoux. These two characters, after sharing an emotionally jarring experience, are left together in a mutually felt "profound silence". This shared experience sets the table for their emotional conversation, and the furthering of their personal connection. This connection between the two characters is hinted at throught this use of free indirect discourse.
Paragraph Summary: Once back in Paris, Frederic discovers that the Arnoux's have moved after he tracks down and speaks with Regimbart. He visits them at their new house, and after seeing Madame Arnoux, he is suprised at his lack of emotion. He states that he will not think of her anymore, but spontaneously decides to call on her instead of visiting the Dambreuses. She is ill, and Frederic attends a party with Arnoux where he meets Rosanette, a loose woman who Frederic trys to make his mistress. Frederic buys himself a house, over-spending in the process. He calls on Madame Dambreuses and later Rosanette, establishing himself as a welcome guest in both houses. He then visits Madame Arnoux and discusses her husband's financial problems with her, gaining her trust in the process. Frederic then begins going with Arnoux to Rosanette's house on a regular basis. He learns that Rosanette is growing tired of having Arnoux as her lover, and he trys to maker her his mistress, but fails. The Arnoux's begin having marital troubles, and Frederic finds himself in the middle of their affairs. He urges both sides to seperate, but to no avail. Frederic lends money to Arnoux, despite having promised it to Deslauriers. Their friendship ends. Later, Frederic decides to neglect visiting Dambreuses for a job in favor of visiting Madame Arnoux. He finally tells her how he feels, but she rejects him, and Frederic decides to go after Rosanette in revenge. He takes her to the races, but is embarassed when Cisy is the one who takes her home. The two men meet for dinner the next day, and Frederic becomes enraged after Cisy makes a negative comment about Madame Arnoux, throwing a plate at Cisy. Frederic refuses to apologize and demands a duel. At the duel, Cisy faints and Arnoux arrives to break up the duel. Frederic then recieves a letter from his mother urging him to return home and marry Louise. In Paris, Deslauriers visits Madame Arnoux, declares that he loves her, and reveals that Frederic is soon to marry. After he leaves, Madame Arnoux realizes she loves Frederic. In Nogent, Frederic hesitantly agrees to marry Louise, but decides to go back to Paris and think first. He visits Rosanette, who seems interested in him, and talks to Madame Arnoux, who is upset at Frederic's proposed marriage. At Arnoux's factory, Frederic sees Madame Arnoux, tells her he still loves her, and begins seeing her again. Frederic becomes uneasy that they have not become lovers yet, so he rents an apartment with the plan of taking her there. However, she is forced to stay with her son that night, and decides to stop seeing Frederic. Frederic dismisses his love for her, and instead takes Rosanette to the apartment.
Close Reading, Pg. 181: "After that there was a profound silence; and everything in the apartment seemed more motionless than before."
This sentence calls to attention the subtle subjectivity of the narrator. This sentence is an example of free indirect discourse. It is obvious from the description of the silence as being "profound", and from the assertion that "the apartment seemed more motionless than before" that this sentence contains a level of subjectivity which seperates it from indirect discourse. In order to experience the profound nature of this silence or to percieve the relative stasis of the apartment, one must be present in this specific apartment. However, the subjectivity extends beyond this meer presence. In order to fully feel what this sentence states, one must have been engaged in the uncomfortable exchange preceding this statment. This narrows the subjectivity down to two perspectives: Frederic's and Madame Arnoux's. Looking at this sentence, there is nothing which would convince me that either perspective should be favored over the other. Both experienced the uncomfortable argument, and therefore both would be expected to experience a jarring effect after its sudden conclusion. Because of the lack of a distinction between whose perspective is being expressed, I read this sentence as expressing the shared perspective of everyone in the room: in this case, just Frederic and Madame Arnoux. Reading the sentence in this way establishes a connection between Frederic and Madame Arnoux. These two characters, after sharing an emotionally jarring experience, are left together in a mutually felt "profound silence". This shared experience sets the table for their emotional conversation, and the furthering of their personal connection. This connection between the two characters is hinted at throught this use of free indirect discourse.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Sentimental Education, Pt. one
Sentence Summary: Frederic Moreau, a young man from a wealthy, bourgeois family, attempts to make a life for himself in Paris by associating with members of high society, going to law school, and pursuing the arts, but his hopeless love for Madame Arnoux, the wife of a rich mogel, and his constantly changing goals thrust him into a cycle of frustration and depression.
Paragraph Summary: On his journey home from Paris, Frederic Moreau, a young, wealthy bourgeois, meets Arnoux, a rich, successful, yet unscrupulous art dealer. Frederic is drawn to Arnoux because of his success and obvious charm with women, traits which Frederic hopes to one day cultivate in himself. While on this boat headed to Paris, Frederic sees Arnoux's wife and finds her perfect in every way, and immediatly falls in love with her. Frederic stays with her husband on their journey with the hope of becoming friends of their family, and in order to be close to Madame Arnoux. Once home, Frederic meets up with Deslauriers, his best friend. They discuss their planned life together and Deslauriers encourages Frederic in his pursuit of Madame Arnoux and also suggests he pursue relations with other high-class women. Once back in Paris for law school, Frederic meets the Dambreuse's, a wealthy and influential family, but his attempts to see them again fail. He also visits Arnoux's shop with the hope of encountering the Madame, but does not succeed. He falls into a state of depression, neglects his studies, and his love for Madame Arnoux wanes. One morning, he comes across an aimless political riot, and meets a man named Hussonnet. Hussonnet works for Arnoux, and he eventually takes Frederic to see him. There are many artists at Arnoux's and Frederic talks with them about several topics, mostly about art. Frederic spends time with some of these men with the hope of getting closer to the Madame. Deslauriers arrives in Paris on the same night that Frederic attends a dinner at the Arnoux's and sees Madame Arnoux for the first time since his journey home. His love for her is renewed, and he decides he will become a painter to win her love. After living with Deslauriers and studying painting for a while, Frederic fails his law exams and unsuccessfully attempts to call on Madame Arnoux. He falls into depression for three months. Eventually, he sees her again, but he is convinced that she will never be his. This attitude changes, however, after she shows some affection for him at her birthday party. Frederic becomes convinced that she will be his. Then, his mother visits him and informs him that his inheritance is dwindling. Distraught by this news, Frederic returns home and begins to pursue alternative plans. However, after resigning to this fate, Frederic's uncle suddenly dies, leaving him a very large inheritance. Frederic decides to return to Paris and make a life there.
Close Reading: pg. 91 "She would think that he mixed with the common people."
Throughout this novel, Frederic repeatedly expresses his love for "high society" as well as his love for Madame Arnoux. Frederic's desire to become a part of high society, and his desire to win Madame Arnoux's love are the two factors that shape most of his actions. These two factors often intersect. For example, Frederic pursues painting, a respected vocation in high society, to win Madame Arnoux's love. Also, Frederic decides to return to Paris after receiving his uncle's inheritance in hopes of working his way into high society. He also mentions Madame Arnoux as a reason for returning. Both of these instances suggest that there is a connection between Frederic's pursuit of entering high society and his pursuit of Madame Arnoux. This connection is made explicit in this sentence from page 91. Frederic is worried that because of his friendship with Dussardier, Madame Arnoux will think less of him. This is not because of Dussardier's character, but rather because of his social class. Dussardier is one of "the common people" that Frederic is referring to. In order to prevent the Madame from associating Frederic with these "common people", Frederic curses his friend in front of her. Frederic would rather speak against one of his friends than risk having Madame Arnoux think that he "mixed" with lower-class individuals. This reveals Frederic's belief that in order to win the Madame's love, he must present himself as being as high-class as possible. As he has demonstrated in this instance, he is willing to compromise his integrity in order to maintain this impression. This establishes Frederic as a person willing to ignore his morals in order to further his interests. It will be interesting to see how this aspect of his character will affect him in the remainder of the novel.