senoritaraquelita
senoritaraquelita t1_je90rpi wrote
Reply to comment by Purple1829 in Thoughts on Forrest Gump? by Purple1829
What is their relationship like in the book?
senoritaraquelita t1_jdv2n9g wrote
Another tip is don’t be afraid of checking Sparknotes if it helps you to fully analyze and appreciate more complex books.
senoritaraquelita t1_jd92pz5 wrote
Reply to comment by Andjhostet in I don’t like Giovanni from Giovanni’s Room (by James Baldwin) by West_b0und
One can appreciate the complexity of a character and ultimately decide to like them or dislike them. I personally come down pretty neutral on the character of Giovanni - I definitely think he is misogynistic but that a lot of that is a result of the society he was brought up in as well as his jealousy and pain. I do however HATE David - just make one decision man, just one!!! - but I still appreciate that he’s a well written character.
senoritaraquelita t1_jd91vqf wrote
Reply to comment by noodledoodledoo in I don’t like Giovanni from Giovanni’s Room (by James Baldwin) by West_b0und
I mean, how can a writer write about misogyny and the negative effects of heteronormativity without depicting misogynistic characters?
senoritaraquelita t1_jd91fiq wrote
Reply to comment by senoritaraquelita in I don’t like Giovanni from Giovanni’s Room (by James Baldwin) by West_b0und
I still found Giovanni ~more~ likable than David. At least he takes a stand for something and is honest about his intentions while David just flops around and let’s things happen and then acts surprised when they happen. But I don’t think Baldwin’s intent was to write likable characters but to write interesting characters and I definitely think he succeeded there.
senoritaraquelita t1_jd90wvh wrote
I think that Giovanni is a complex and flawed character who certainly expresses misogynistic views. But I think that Baldwin adds this not to perpetuate these views but to develop the character and explore the complex layers of oppression. Giovanni suffers a certain level of oppression due to his sexuality and class. However, he also benefits from a certain amount of privilege because he is a man. Instead of finding solidarity with women who are also oppressed, he exerts the small amount of power he has by asserting his superiority to women. I think this feeling of resentment towards women is amplified by his jealousy, as romantic relationship between men and women are seen as valid while any relationship he has with a man is seen as shameful and loveless. I think his resentment is misplaced but it is also understandable given the circumstances.
senoritaraquelita t1_je91f40 wrote
Reply to comment by fordgrantorino in non United States folks: what do you think of The Great Gatsby? by Different-Carpet-159
Yeah I think you misread the book….the whole point is that we imagine we have so much social mobility in the US but it’s not really true, it’s an illusion. Gatsby will never be truly accepted by the upper class.