uses this example of Rosemary and the wish to be normal to show us how she had perceived herself as abnormal and hated herself for it. This repression of identity and not being able to accept her past made it difficult for her to open up and be able to form new and long lasting relationships with others. Fowler uses the example of Rosemary’s profound loneliness to demonstrate the effect of societal pressures on her individuality and accepting herself and how this interferes with her ability to make friends and make lasting relationships. Rosemary, had never had a real friend and couldn't seem to figure out how to make one. “Maybe sedulously making sure that no one really knew me was an impediment of friendship” says Rosemary when trying to
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In the beginning the two siblings were close and went on spontaneous nightly adventures together. However, when Lowell left the family, Rosemary was left alone. Fowler shows us how Rosemary changed when Lowell comes back to Davis for an unexpected visit. In the past Rosemary would be the one babbling on and on, never being able to shut up, but during this visit Lowell notices how quite and jaded Rosemary had become. “I’m more like you than you are tonight”, Lowell states, showing how Rosemary couldn’t even be her old self with someone she used to be so close to (202). Societal pressures had repressed her old habit of talking nonstop and those who remember her for it could notice. Even having to face her past, her brother, didn’t make Rosemary accept her past or express herself. Through Lowell’s visit, Fowler revisits Rosemary’s inability to trust others and therefore keep/make relationships with others. Upon leaving Lowell mentions that Harlow cares for Rosemary and expresses a lot of interest in her which makes Rosemary uncomfortable and jealous. This demonstrates how Rosemary is incapable of trusting her brother and always looking for reasons to push people away. This is how Rosemary pushed Harlow away and coldly told her the truth about Lowell. Talking less and not being able to make relationships last or form any is just a couple “side effects” of the social pressures that Rosemary experienced during kindergarten and school. Through the use of Lowell as a character, Fowler is able to demonstrate Rosemary’s change in identity in relation to another
In the beginning the two siblings were close and went on spontaneous nightly adventures together. However, when Lowell left the family, Rosemary was left alone. Fowler shows us how Rosemary changed when Lowell comes back to Davis for an unexpected visit. In the past Rosemary would be the one babbling on and on, never being able to shut up, but during this visit Lowell notices how quite and jaded Rosemary had become. “I’m more like you than you are tonight”, Lowell states, showing how Rosemary couldn’t even be her old self with someone she used to be so close to (202). Societal pressures had repressed her old habit of talking nonstop and those who remember her for it could notice. Even having to face her past, her brother, didn’t make Rosemary accept her past or express herself. Through Lowell’s visit, Fowler revisits Rosemary’s inability to trust others and therefore keep/make relationships with others. Upon leaving Lowell mentions that Harlow cares for Rosemary and expresses a lot of interest in her which makes Rosemary uncomfortable and jealous. This demonstrates how Rosemary is incapable of trusting her brother and always looking for reasons to push people away. This is how Rosemary pushed Harlow away and coldly told her the truth about Lowell. Talking less and not being able to make relationships last or form any is just a couple “side effects” of the social pressures that Rosemary experienced during kindergarten and school. Through the use of Lowell as a character, Fowler is able to demonstrate Rosemary’s change in identity in relation to another