What stood out the most for me in this short story was the relationship between the "young" couple. It was stressed enough times they were young to assume they are newly-wed. When the women begins to wonder how the figures she just bought are going to become a part of her life, and where exactly they would fit. She also wonders if they'll just represent a memory... i think she's thinking the same of her husband; just realizing he is permanent part of her life. However she has also just realized he is very different than her in the way he felt no sympathy for the poor artists.
Yes, this part stood out to me too. I also think the souvenirs they bought do represent a memory of their trip. Which explains why when her husband bought the lion at such a low price that she was upset. The lion will forever hold the memory of how her and her husband hold different beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Clarissa that the lion will perpetually remind her of the rift between her and her husband's beliefs. I'm sure although she was apprehensive about having a new life foisted onto her, she still tried to make the most of it by creating memories to look back on in the future. Instead it just became a sad reminder...
ReplyDeleteI agree with Clarissa and Michael. Every time she sees that lion she will always remember the time when her husband cheated that man of his money. I don't think their relationship will ever recover from that and also may happen again in the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of you. I think that the lion will remain with her through her whole life. I like how you comapred the symbolism between the lion and how that was almost parallel to her interpretation on her husband. Something that stood out to me was when the sub said that you really get to know your spouse once you get married, how come she never saw those characterisicts when they were not married?
ReplyDeleteI think perhaps it could be recovered, even though she does not think like her husband perhaps she learns to love even his flaws , her perspective changed but it will be hard for her to recover.
ReplyDeleteI agree jasmine, but I also wonder how many of his flaws can she like? If she feels passionate and empathetic with the natives and her husband doesn't, wouldn't that be a major flaw in his belief system?
ReplyDeleteI think he's ignorant in the issue. but I agree that it would be out of his line of sight (or care).
DeleteI agree with all of you guys. Sometime during the reading how ever I felt like it symbolized something deeper. could the lion in way represent that their relation would end up in that? in cheating? I mean it makes sense since right away we see their relationship not working out.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that you said that he would be a "permanent" part of her life because towards the end of the text she seems to regret getting married. ""She was feeling like this again. She had thought it was something to do with singleness, with being alone and belonging too much to oneself.""
ReplyDeleteAfter reading that, it made me wonder whether or not she still wanted her husband around. After all she felt completely disgusted with what he did
I don't blame the woman for getting upset with her husband. right now the two are in a tough position that might lead to them separating. if he would have paid regular price for the souvenir, do you think she would have seen his true side sooner or later?
ReplyDeleteYes! Let's interpret it that way. If the husband wouldn't have mocked the old man and would have bought the lion fair and square, I still believe the young woman would have seen his true side sooner or later. Being in Rhodesia in that time period I'm sure they encountered many instances where they had to choose whether or not to be unjust with the natives. I also ask myself, "If the husband would've paid fair price, would the young woman have a reason to be angry at her husband?" I believe so. I think she would have found another reason to be angry with him.
DeleteAlthough she wanted the craft and got it she did not want it with the memory of her husband stealing it. If i was her i would also not be okay with the husbands actions.
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