Response Journal #3 Chapters 51-75
Note: Using a PDF File of Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood
The story Cat’s Eye comes to it’s grand conclusion, and leaves the readers stunned and in awe of Elaine’s story. The impact the title Cat’s Eye holds over the story is significant and as the story comes to a close, it’s clear what the title Cat’s Eye actually represents. From her childhood, Elaine kept a single marble as a keepsake of the times when her brother and her would play marbles. The marble was called Cat’s Eye, and the marble was a huge aspect of her childhood and symbolized her innocence and her identity. It held cherished memories and the idea of holding onto it during the tough periods of Elaine’s life symbolized how the marble was really …show more content…
The main topic of foreshadowing however, is in fact Cordelia. Throughout the entire book series, it’s been a known fact that she had some insecurities, and wished to be acknowledged and be the centre of attention. When Elaine and Cordelia unite during her college years, Elaine notices that “Cordelia on the other hand is showing herself off to me. She wants me to see what has become of her, since her days of sloth and overeating and failure. She has reinvented herself. She’s cool as a cucumber, and brimming with casual news.” (146) Cordelia had one chance to redeem herself, and to show Elaine that how she acted before was not who she truly was. However, this doesn’t fool the readers or Elaine, because she has broken down, and she has shown her vulnerabilities and that experience won’t disappear for a while. This is why it wasn’t much of a surprise when both characters are middle-aged, it’s been revealed that Cordelia almost committed suicide and is now put in a mental institute. Elaine is plagued with conflicting thoughts when meeting Cordelia, and thinks “ I think I may cry. At the same time I’m angry with her, though I don’t know why. It’s as if Cordelia has placed herself beyond me, out of my reach, where I can’t get at her. She has let go of her idea of herself. She is lost.” (176) It’s been hinted throughout the entire book, but without anyone telling her she’s worth anything, and without feeling like she’s worth the attention, she loses herself. She doesn’t know who she truly is, and loses her identity. Cordelia also reveals that “‘[t]hings weren’t working out very well,’ she says after a while…’So. I tried pills.’...’It just came over me. I was tired,’ she says.” (175) From the days when she used to bully Elaine so she could hold a position of power, to being reckless and continuously stealing things and smoking, it’s now clear that she doesn’t know who she really is. She craves attention, and
Note: Using a PDF File of Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood
The story Cat’s Eye comes to it’s grand conclusion, and leaves the readers stunned and in awe of Elaine’s story. The impact the title Cat’s Eye holds over the story is significant and as the story comes to a close, it’s clear what the title Cat’s Eye actually represents. From her childhood, Elaine kept a single marble as a keepsake of the times when her brother and her would play marbles. The marble was called Cat’s Eye, and the marble was a huge aspect of her childhood and symbolized her innocence and her identity. It held cherished memories and the idea of holding onto it during the tough periods of Elaine’s life symbolized how the marble was really …show more content…
The main topic of foreshadowing however, is in fact Cordelia. Throughout the entire book series, it’s been a known fact that she had some insecurities, and wished to be acknowledged and be the centre of attention. When Elaine and Cordelia unite during her college years, Elaine notices that “Cordelia on the other hand is showing herself off to me. She wants me to see what has become of her, since her days of sloth and overeating and failure. She has reinvented herself. She’s cool as a cucumber, and brimming with casual news.” (146) Cordelia had one chance to redeem herself, and to show Elaine that how she acted before was not who she truly was. However, this doesn’t fool the readers or Elaine, because she has broken down, and she has shown her vulnerabilities and that experience won’t disappear for a while. This is why it wasn’t much of a surprise when both characters are middle-aged, it’s been revealed that Cordelia almost committed suicide and is now put in a mental institute. Elaine is plagued with conflicting thoughts when meeting Cordelia, and thinks “ I think I may cry. At the same time I’m angry with her, though I don’t know why. It’s as if Cordelia has placed herself beyond me, out of my reach, where I can’t get at her. She has let go of her idea of herself. She is lost.” (176) It’s been hinted throughout the entire book, but without anyone telling her she’s worth anything, and without feeling like she’s worth the attention, she loses herself. She doesn’t know who she truly is, and loses her identity. Cordelia also reveals that “‘[t]hings weren’t working out very well,’ she says after a while…’So. I tried pills.’...’It just came over me. I was tired,’ she says.” (175) From the days when she used to bully Elaine so she could hold a position of power, to being reckless and continuously stealing things and smoking, it’s now clear that she doesn’t know who she really is. She craves attention, and