On page 412, Matt has a fantasy about having a sexual fling with the protester he drives by. It reminded me of Nick’s fantasy about the girl he meets at Klara’s project place. These random desires strike me as strange for men who also talk about their relationship with their wife/girlfriend…I must seem very innocent in thinking this strange. I’m not sure why these two men have this tendency to think this way. It’s like they all oh so connected to another person, then they see another chick and get at once sidetracked. It’s sort of pathetic.
oh, sex!
By potted plant - Posted on 24 February 2007 - 8:47pm.
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Your entry reminded me of the conversation we had in class about why everyone in the novel is having so many affairs. Of course, having a fantasy and having an affair are two very different things, but I think that the same kind of feelings can often be driving both. For example, we talked about how the affairs are sometimes driven by the desire for secrets, and that's what a fantasy essentially is-- a secret. And how sometimes there can be big secrets right in front of us, but we can't see them. I don't think these fantasies are pathetic so much as pointing towards something greater in the novel, but I'm not sure if I know what that is yet.
The detailed scene on page 519 switches between Erica's jello and Eric masterbating to Jayne Mansfield. Eric is very secretive about his masterbation, though in this case his mother has caught on. But because she never mentions it, it's still technically a secret. And Eric thinks his masterbation is a secret, too, so maybe it gives him the same pleasure as if his mom didn't suspect. Or maybe he borrows her kitchen gloves because he, too, wants to be caught.
Several of the affairs/other secrets are blatantly obvious- as if the lovers want to be found out. As we said in class, sometimes it's the hiding and sneaking around that makes things exciting.
Could we tie all these secrets to the secrets of the government? All the undercover operations, etc? Also, the weaponeer Matt DOESN'T want to be secretive. (p 452) He tries hard to get out of his job so he can lead a "normal" life. Why only him?
Matt also has fantasies, and he kind of keeps the secret of not wanting his job anymore. While I think he is more 'normal' in terms of secrets and affairs he also actually stopped on page 418 for the protesting woman, which implies a readiness to act. He also doesn't seem to want to be upfront with Janet about what he wants for their lives, partly due to fear that she doesn't want it too, perhaps? I think this speaks a lot about how characters, especially romantic partners, relate to each other and how they keep secrets and these secrets may even be partly what the relationship is based on. In this sense, I think that the US and the USSR are like romantic partners, playing a little dance together involving secrets that keep them both in their place.