Well, I have accomplished the impossible and finished Mao II. I guessing I was hoping that it was going to gain some action or interesting story but I feel like it just stayed the same the whole way through. I guess I'll being with chapter 12 and saying that I'm not really sure what the point of this Omar guy is. I think he's just a man that eventually leads Karen into Scott's arms. Although that part is strange as well because she doesn't actually go to him until Brita tells her to. And then there's the spoon...I'm not sure if anyone else thought this was weird but she picks up a spoon with old food on it and puts it up on a pedestal. I'm not really sure of the significance of this gross spoon but maybe I'm not artsy enough to understand the beauty of it.
Scott seems to be obsessing over organization--I feel like that's all the author tells us when they talk about his part. Honestly, I could take all of Scott's part out in these last couple chapters and the story wouldn't change a bit because of his mundane life--maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. I mean in the end it seems that he finally gets what he wants which is Brita. And then they just decide that Bill won't be coming back so they can just have his money and his house. It just seems strange that over all this time that they should end up together and just to give up on Bill.
And then there's Bill and his stubborn attitude--I want to yell at him and tell him to just go to the doctor already! I'm not really sure I understand all of his story. He's talking with Vets and then he's out partying and finds himself waking up in his hotel. I feel like the author leaves information out that is important to transition form one thing to another. He just decides to go to Beirut and then we don't really hear about him. I was hoping the end after the chapters there would be some sort of explanation about Bill and what happens to him and if the hostage actually was let go...or even if he makes it to Beirut. The book seems to be building up to what is happening to Bill healthwise but then the author never even says what happens to him in the end. I know a lot of modernist books end without resolution but I'm not sure I like this style especially in this book because it felt like a book that was just a "so what" book. I guess what I mean by this is that it just seems like background noise that doesn't really make any impact on me--not enjoyable, I didn't really learn much, or change my opinion on anything. If anything it seemed to make me more confused and angry. I realize this is not the nicest thing to say but it is my opinion...I hope someone else enjoyed reading the book! It definitely made me appreciate the Hurston book even more.
I also find it strange that Scott and Brita decide to give up on Bill. Scott seems so obsessed and infatuated with him throughout most of the novel. I did find him a little too controlling, though. If Bill wants to leave and never come back I guess that is his choice and it is good that Scott realizes this... it's just somewhat surprising. I like your last comment about Hurston's book. :)
ReplyDeleteI think Scott is a sort of symbol. His life revolved around Bill for so long that he can't stop, even once he's gone. He does all of these mundane, pointless tasks to distract himself from the truth of Bill's disappearance. I think that's why he fixated on the idea that he needed to organize the house and all of the manuscript because he believed Bill would send for him and all of this things. In the end, though, he gets what he wants: the book is never published and he will tease it up until he dies. I don't agree with that at all, but that's a rant for another time...
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