In the “pursuit of materialism,” objects can often define a character’s depiction and can play a part in displaying their personality as stated by Thomas C. Foster of How To Read Novels Like A Professor. Chapter 14, titled The Light on Daisy’s Dock, maintains “...the Law of Character Clarity: To understand characters, you have to know their deepest desires. More often than not, that desire finds an emblem -an object or action- to give it tangible expression” (Thomas C. Foster 173). The tactic of characterization through items is used masterfully in such short stories as: Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been, Silver Waters, and The Second Bakery Attack to give readers a more in-depth look at the characters without directly telling them,
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The author only mentions it in a rush between other ways that Rose had improved, “Rose took her meds, lost about fifty pounds, and began singing at the A.M.E. Zion Church…” (Amy Bloom 9). The medication was mentioned in a time of clarity and peace for Rose, a state of mind that she had not been in reach of for years. The symbol of medication is now associated with the idea of recovery and peace in the narrative. The family as a whole in prosperity at this time, showing that their biggest desire was for not only Rose, but themselves to have stability. When the family therapist had a sudden death, the stability that the family had craved and worked for no longer applied. Right after, Rose stopped taking her medication. Her family had to bribe her in order for her to consider (Amy Bloom 10). Again, the author uses the objects subtly to further characterize the family indirectly. In the ending pages of the account, the relationship of the family deteriorates as Rose continues to spiral, causing their desire to become higher than before, they tell their youngest daughter, Violet, to only come once a week to shield her from the toll it is taking. The final page of the story depicts Violet finding that Rose ingested an entire “bottle of Seconal,” a medication …show more content…
The hunger as described by the unnamed narrator was “...vast and boundless...” but was more than just an unsettled craving. It was said to be a curse placed upon him after his failed attempt at a bakery attack. After receiving a generous helping of bread from a shop owner who only wanted the attackers to listen to a record of Wagner in return, made the entire attack unsuccessful and unfinished (Haruki Murakami 74). This only left an open desire for the husband to go back and finish what he started. The curse and the desire for food had opened up the couples characterization as placing them as people who desperately had a need to complete unfinished business. Although not a material object, the desire to end their hunger with the sustenance they need, does consume their waking thoughts for the entire night. The couple was so desperate that the wife proposed to “Attack another bakery. Right away. Now. It's the only way” (Haruki Murakami 75). The husband easily agrees to this plan and they go on to rob a Mcdonald’s successfully, fully satisfying their deep hunger, although showing how weak they are to easily give in and break their morals to appease their desires. The very basic need they had was enough to commit a crime, and left the husband questioning “...was it really necessary…” (Haruki Murakami
The author only mentions it in a rush between other ways that Rose had improved, “Rose took her meds, lost about fifty pounds, and began singing at the A.M.E. Zion Church…” (Amy Bloom 9). The medication was mentioned in a time of clarity and peace for Rose, a state of mind that she had not been in reach of for years. The symbol of medication is now associated with the idea of recovery and peace in the narrative. The family as a whole in prosperity at this time, showing that their biggest desire was for not only Rose, but themselves to have stability. When the family therapist had a sudden death, the stability that the family had craved and worked for no longer applied. Right after, Rose stopped taking her medication. Her family had to bribe her in order for her to consider (Amy Bloom 10). Again, the author uses the objects subtly to further characterize the family indirectly. In the ending pages of the account, the relationship of the family deteriorates as Rose continues to spiral, causing their desire to become higher than before, they tell their youngest daughter, Violet, to only come once a week to shield her from the toll it is taking. The final page of the story depicts Violet finding that Rose ingested an entire “bottle of Seconal,” a medication …show more content…
The hunger as described by the unnamed narrator was “...vast and boundless...” but was more than just an unsettled craving. It was said to be a curse placed upon him after his failed attempt at a bakery attack. After receiving a generous helping of bread from a shop owner who only wanted the attackers to listen to a record of Wagner in return, made the entire attack unsuccessful and unfinished (Haruki Murakami 74). This only left an open desire for the husband to go back and finish what he started. The curse and the desire for food had opened up the couples characterization as placing them as people who desperately had a need to complete unfinished business. Although not a material object, the desire to end their hunger with the sustenance they need, does consume their waking thoughts for the entire night. The couple was so desperate that the wife proposed to “Attack another bakery. Right away. Now. It's the only way” (Haruki Murakami 75). The husband easily agrees to this plan and they go on to rob a Mcdonald’s successfully, fully satisfying their deep hunger, although showing how weak they are to easily give in and break their morals to appease their desires. The very basic need they had was enough to commit a crime, and left the husband questioning “...was it really necessary…” (Haruki Murakami