Binaries

The story "Boys and Girls," was a great example of binaries. The description of the basement, where her father worked, with its 100watt light bulb was of particular interest to the narrator. This is an example of a binary because during the early 1900’s, girls were expected to learn how to become lady’s, which involved learning how to cook, clean and take care of the men. It was not lady like for a girl to be interested in technology for science, was a “boy thing” during that time. Next, we have the kitchen where her mother worked. The narrator first motioned she hated the kitchen. She particularly points out the wavy mirrors in the kitchens as one of the aspects she doesn’t like. Girls who are learning how to dress properly for the boys would often spend a lot of time in front of the mirror and consequently begin to love it. The narrator on the other hand, at the beginning of the story, does not. Its not until after she let out Flora and had a guilt trip at the dinner table that she began to love mirrors like a “normal” girl. We also have the children’s bedroom as a great example of a binary for it in itself contained two examples. The bedroom is a place where a child is supposed to feel safe and comfortable. Instead, it’s a place of “bats and skeletons” with run away criminals hiding behind a roll of linoleum. The only safe part of the bedroom is the worn carpet and the “narrow life rafts” her and her brother slept on. The way she describes the room seems to be a strong indicator that she doesn’t feel safe upstairs, even when she is on the carpet or her bed. The bedroom also contained a painting of the battle of Baclaclava, which the narrator specifically mentions is sad to look at. The battle of Baclaclava had a strong tie to the imaginary world she pictured herself in when she went to bed. The battle of Baclaclava consisted of large regiments of cavalry. When the narrator was lying in bed, she imagined herself as a hero on horseback saving the day from turmoil. The imaginary world she pictures herself in brings her great happiness and excitement. Which is opposite to how the painting made her feel. Funny how these two images are so similar but opposite to each other isn’t it?

Week one, blog question two

The story “Evaline” deepens and complicates the theme of Larkin’s poem by showing the effect of what a parents ideals, morals and duties has on a child. Even as the children become adults. This short story perfectly sums up the line “Man hands on misery to man,” in Larkin’s poem. Evaline, a woman from a small town, shows how parental influence can sometimes dictate the lives of children. When Evaline was still young, she witnessed her mother becoming gravely ill. When the time came for her mother to pass on, Evaline promised to her that she would keep the home together as long as she could. As time passed she realized how horribly unhappy she was due to her father now threatening with physical violence, the responsibility of taking care of the foster children and working at the business. Once she broke out of her rut and began to take action to create a new life, she still had thoughts and strong feelings for her home and father. These thoughts manifested into a physical reality when she ran off the boat and left her lover Frank without as much as glimpse of love or recognition. Evaline, her soul, her being, wanted to leave the small town and create a new and fulfilling life so badly and yet, something stopped her. Evaline and her subconscious mind, with her vast stores of memories of her mother and what she had promised to her stopped her. This one simple event between her and her mother caused her to throw away her lover, self respect and confidence. As Larkin expresses it “They fuck you up, your mum and dad.” For if it were not due to her mother and her father opinions and views, Evaline may have had a rich and fulfilling life.