The reader gains vital insight into the relationship between Jack and his mother at the close of Chapter 2. When Rosemary returns, crying, from her date with Gil, Jack immediately notices his mother's pain tries to soothe it by rocking her in his arms. In this situation, Jack plays the parent to his own mother, and is forced to use more maturity than is required of a young boy. This shows that Jack and his mother depend on one another. Jack also notices that his mother's need for him makes him feel "capable." This feeling makes Jack feel like he's doing something good, and that his being holds a purpose.
This part of the book tells you somthing about Rosemary. In her state of weakness, she is submissive to Jack, just as she has been submissive to Gil, Roy, and Jack's father. She seems to have a submission to men, a trait that she probably acquired from her childhood, when her father used to beat her.
-Maggie Todaro
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I completley agree with this analysis of this section of the book. While reading this secttion of the book I came up with similar reasonings, about the character. Through out her whole life she has suffered from abuse from various men. Leaving her battered and feeling no respect, this lack of respect is common for women during this time period though.
ReplyDeleteMoses Allred