SEVENTEEN SYLLABLES
"When he took hold of her empty hand, she could find no words to protest; her vocabulary became had become distressingly constricted and she thought desperately that all that remained intact now was yes and no and oh, even those few sounds would not easily out" (pg. 89)
I really like this passage because it is definitely one of Rosie's first experiences with romance. She is really not sure how to respond to Jesus, and goes weak in his presence. Soon after they kiss, she runs, not knowing what to do. I think this passage is proof that this is a story of romance, or lack there of. It seems that Rosie's parents are in a loveless marriage and Rosie's mother loves receiving attention from other men. This can be seen in the scene where Rosie's father is ready to leave the Hayano residence while her mother hardly notices as she is engrossed with conversation with Mr. Hayano. Everything makes since at the ending when Rosie's mother tells her daughter of the arranged marriage that became the alternative to suicide.
I think that Rosie's relationship with Jesus is affected by the way Rosie has watched her parents interact. When Rosie goes to meet Jesus, she doesn't know how to act because she is unfamiliar with romance.
MEN IN YOUR LIFE
"but if a man gives you all of the very best that he has to offer, all the time, what more could a woman want?"
I thought this was a great way to end this piece. It is a familiar conversation between woman of all ages. Women always gather to talk to about men. I felt like this work was so real. The women were quick to judge other men and their relationships with woman, but when it came to their own, everything was perfect. I think the woman who wants to marry Eddie may be in denial. Although he may be a great man, I think she is exaggerating his perfection due to her affection for him. This is not rare. I have had friends talk up their relationships (how great he is, how happy they are), only to hear how miserable they really were after the relationship has ended. It makes me wonder how the woman really is, and if Eddie is all that she describes him to be.
I think this is a romance narrative because it is two woman describing what they WANT for a romantic relationship and their standards.
2 comments:
I completely agree with everything you said in Men In Your Life! I kind of felt that she was settling for Eddie because she couldn't find anything better. What do you think?
i agree with you about men in our life becausre it does seem like a romance narrative especially wiht the last line. i feel that it holds more meaning than some see. i don' tfeel she is settling. settling is a harsh word for it. when she calls others cheap it is more to me in their behavior. they don't give her their "all" and i don't mean material things. I mean all of them. i think i read it alot differently than most people.
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