Turning Pages

  The relationship between Meursault and Raymond is one of the most essential relationships in The Stranger . Raymond pulling Meursault into his world and Meursault allowing him to is one of the main reasons Meursault ended up on that beach with a gun in his hand  The quote that kickstarted the toxic and explosive relationship between Meursault and Raymond was. " If it isn't that pitiful!" He asked me didn't I think it was disgusting and I said no." I believe these questions about Salamano directed towards Meursault was Raymond's way of feeling out Meursault and seeing if he would judge him for his lifestyle. Due to the fact that Meursault didn't judge Salamano Raymond took that as an indication that Meursault wouldn't judge him for the things he does. In other words Meursault passed Raymond's test.  Raymond was looking for a person who would justify/ agree with/not judge any of his decisions and choices which is exactly what Meursault did. For ...

 " Oh, Jake," Brett said, "we could have had such a damned good time together." Ahead was a mounted policeman in khaki directing traffic. He raised his baton. The car slowed suddenly pressing Brett against me.     " Yes," I said " Isn't it pretty to think so?"       I personally feel like Hemmingway used this last scene to bring Jake and Brett's story full circle. They started in a cab together sharing this seemingly tender moment. Both seemed to yearn for each other but couldn't have each other it seemed to be a tragic love story -- in the beginning. As the novel went on the dynamics of Brett and Jakes relationship began to be brought further in further into the light.       In all honesty I am not a fan of Brett's. Throughout the entire novel Jake acted as a twisted version of a wingman for Brett (the love of his life) and she not only let him but she encouraged him. Brett never really took Jakes feelings into ...

  Why is Peter Walsh so critical of Clarissa Dalloway? Throughout Mrs. Dalloway we hear from multiple characters like Peter, Sally, and even Clarissa that they don't think Clarissa should’ve married Richard. Sally and Peter express that they feel as if Richard was bad for Clarissa. But what exactly was wrong with him? Nothing. Many of the characters in Mrs. Dalloway seemed to actually like Richard as an individual character, they seemed to even have fond memories of him. He was described as an all around nice, clean cut, and decent dude.  It seems like the main reason the characters were so dissatisfied with Clarissa's marriage to Richard was not because Richard was a bad guy but because he was a boring guy. Peter described Clarissa as radical, thought provoking, and inspiring in her youth. Peter makes Clarissa sound like a woman who looked to solve the deeper problems in life and dive into issues that plagued more than the upper crusts of society. Now that she's married to...

  Throughout The Mezzanine Nicholson Baker makes amazing discoveries about everyday life in modern society through the lens of Howie( our main character). Baker does a great job of taking a fictional character and presenting the reader with realistic everyday situations that offer fascinating insights about the unspoken ‘rules’ of modern society. A couple of these ‘rules’ so to speak are, always wait to be excused and always introduce yourself. On page 33. Howie is getting ready to leave the office to go on his lunch break when Tina(a secretary) stops him. Tina and Howie begin to engage in lighthearted small talk when they are interrupted by a phone call. While Tina is on the phone Howie waits for Tina to finish so they can continue their conversation; but as the phone call prolongs the likelihood of their conversation picking up where it left off gets smaller and smaller. So Howie is now stuck in the odd predicament of either leaving and being perceived as rude or staying and bei...