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Sethe was Abandoned from the Beginning

  After last week’s Friday discussion, I was inspired to dive deeper into the following questions:  Was there a “right” way or a “different” way the traumatic event could have panned out?  whether Sethe should have told Paul D about what happened 18 years ago, and whether it was Stamp’s right to do so? Disclaimer: I am not trying to give a definitive answers in this blog post, rather adding another perspective on the matter. I am also interested in what you all think, and your stances, so feel free to share them in the comments. 

Strange Shifts

This novel was an experience unlike any other, and its writing style played a monumental role in this effect. PART 1 This section of the novel is characterized by a simple, detached, and straightforward style, which fittingly portrays Monsieur Meursault’s indifference to everything and everyone around him. Whether describing events, people, or emotions, he does so without depth or personal insight, treating life as a series of tasks rather than meaningful experiences. Meursault seems to go through the motions of societal expectations, viewing them as a checklist he needs to mark off to pass as “normal” for the day. He’s agreeable with everyone, even if they find his lifestyle unorthodox, suggesting a people-pleasing aspect of his personality. One vivid example of his detachment comes when he learns of his mother’s death: "Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday, I don’t know." Here, his reaction is emotionless, and later, he attends the funeral with almost mechanical precision....

Sincerity in Hemmingway's The Sun Also Rises

One of the most significant scenes in The Sun Also Rises is when Jake and Bill go fishing in the Spanish town of Burguete. This trip, unlike most of the novel’s settings, leaves Jake feeling rejuvenated and at peace. Hemingway emphasizes that Jake finds solace in nature, and the fishing trip with Bill offers a rare, calm escape from his usual worries and cynicism. The water especially seems to act as a kind of ritual purification, washing away some of Jake’s bitterness and emotional exhaustion. The river, in its steady, quiet flow, symbolizes a cleansing force that allows Jake to focus on the beauty of the surroundings rather than his typical preoccupation with Brett. Here, he doesn’t feel haunted by his love, and for a moment, he is simply able to live in the present. However, this is more clearly reflected in Jake’s swim in San Sebastián, saying “The water was buoyant and cold. It felt as though you could never sink.” (p. 83) The peace and clarity Jake finds in nature also give him t...

Lost in Time: Mrs. Dalloway

Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway masterfully captures the blurring of past and present, presenting time as fragmented yet continuous in the minds of its characters. Early in the novel (around page 8), Clarissa steps out into London, her mind drifting between past reflections and the present, as she prepares for her evening party. She has recently recovered from an illness that forced her into bed rest and changed her life. Now, enjoying the fresh air and the surrounding city, she looks forward to hosting a gathering that will bring people together. At this moment, "She felt very young; at the same time unspeakably aged. She sliced like a knife through everything; at the same time was outside, looking on." This duality—feeling both young and old, present yet detached—exemplifies how Woolf explores the fluidity of time, with Clarissa existing in multiple moments of her life at once. She feels youthful and energized, especially after her illness. Contrasting her lively spirit...

Rethinking the Everyday: Howie's Defamiliarized World

Throughout The Mezzanine, Howie’s perspective on life is both optimistic and enlightening, as he brings attention to objects and interactions that we encounter daily but rarely examine closely. A striking example of this is his reflection on perforation: “Perforation! Shout it out! The deliberate punctuated weakening of paper and cardboard so that it will tear along an intended path, leaving a row of fine-haired pills or tuftlets on each new edge! It is a staggering conception, showing an age-transforming feel for the unique properties of pulped wood fiber.” But how much of his fascination is sincere? Is he simply trying to play with the reader’s perception? At times, his enthusiasm for what seems like trivial matters feels excessive, but as you continue to read, it becomes clear that he is expressing genuine appreciation through the lens of defamiliarization (in this case, the act of taking something seemingly mundane and seeing them in a new and thoughtful light). Yes, the process ...