In the novel, Specimen Days by Micheal Cunningham, the three relationship between Catherine/Cat/Catareen and Simon are very different in how the pair interact with one another. However these relationships are not separate, but the same relationship developing over time. In the first story, In The Machine, Catherine and Simon are in a forced and and unloving relationship. The relationship was built on lies, secrecy and lack of knowledge. Catherine became pregnant with someone's baby, but because she was a prostitute nobody knew where who the baby’s father was. She pressured Simon into proposing to her, so that she could say that the baby belonged to the both of them as opposed to an unknown man. This saved Catherine from becoming ostracized
…show more content…
This feeling originated in the first story, while Simon was a hardworking man, Catherine was a prostitute. She was shameful in her career, but in the second story that insecurity has transferred to herself. She feel as if Simon is too perfect to be with her. When people saw the two of them together, she always thought, “ Yes, people, I’m his date. I’m his girlfriend, okay?”(117). Cat also felt used in her relationship; she felt that she had to always be perfect and exciting to please Simon. Simon, on the other hand, was very excited by their relationship. He always asked Cat how her job was and what new adventures she had experienced through her phone calls. In the first story, Simon had his life taken by the machine, but now his mannerisms and actions are machine-like, causing him to be more perfect. In this story, the pair are very awkward and have very forced actions of love. Although they are dating by choice, there is a level of artificiality that is seen in many scenes on the story. The second story serves as a transition period in Cat and Simon’s relationship. It shows the two mold into the people they truly are in the third …show more content…
As they evolve into the third story, Catareen became more shy and reserved, but Simon became much more outgoing. Simon often facilitated conversation, and was the one who talked to anyone else on behalf of the pair. Catareen also showed signs of love and interest; she provided for the pair and Luke and lied to the drone to save Simon. In this story, Catareen is more reserved because some of her advances were turned down or had bad consequences. For example, forcing Simon at the beginning resulted in his death, and buying him the bowl wasn't received well. She decided that she would be best if she was quiet and reserved rather than open and rejected. Simon, however, became more loving as their relationship continued on. Although, he was very machine-like and cold in the second story, he becomes warm and loving towards Catareen. As he laid with her dying body, he told her that “[He] wouldn’t want to go without [her].”(329). He loves Catareen so much that he wants to spend the last moments of her life with her and even missed the opportunity to go to a new planet. By the end of the novel Simon and Catareen love and cherish one another. Although they aren't in a formal relationship; there is love and transparency around
This feeling originated in the first story, while Simon was a hardworking man, Catherine was a prostitute. She was shameful in her career, but in the second story that insecurity has transferred to herself. She feel as if Simon is too perfect to be with her. When people saw the two of them together, she always thought, “ Yes, people, I’m his date. I’m his girlfriend, okay?”(117). Cat also felt used in her relationship; she felt that she had to always be perfect and exciting to please Simon. Simon, on the other hand, was very excited by their relationship. He always asked Cat how her job was and what new adventures she had experienced through her phone calls. In the first story, Simon had his life taken by the machine, but now his mannerisms and actions are machine-like, causing him to be more perfect. In this story, the pair are very awkward and have very forced actions of love. Although they are dating by choice, there is a level of artificiality that is seen in many scenes on the story. The second story serves as a transition period in Cat and Simon’s relationship. It shows the two mold into the people they truly are in the third …show more content…
As they evolve into the third story, Catareen became more shy and reserved, but Simon became much more outgoing. Simon often facilitated conversation, and was the one who talked to anyone else on behalf of the pair. Catareen also showed signs of love and interest; she provided for the pair and Luke and lied to the drone to save Simon. In this story, Catareen is more reserved because some of her advances were turned down or had bad consequences. For example, forcing Simon at the beginning resulted in his death, and buying him the bowl wasn't received well. She decided that she would be best if she was quiet and reserved rather than open and rejected. Simon, however, became more loving as their relationship continued on. Although, he was very machine-like and cold in the second story, he becomes warm and loving towards Catareen. As he laid with her dying body, he told her that “[He] wouldn’t want to go without [her].”(329). He loves Catareen so much that he wants to spend the last moments of her life with her and even missed the opportunity to go to a new planet. By the end of the novel Simon and Catareen love and cherish one another. Although they aren't in a formal relationship; there is love and transparency around