Yes, definitely yes.
In this novel, Clara has a tragic flaw of being materialistic. Her flaw affects other characters negatively, which becomes an issue throughout the book, and eventually, leads herself into her own destruction. When Clara leaves Patrick for Ambrose, we can see that she fancies money more than love. Her relationship with Patrick didn’t mean anything to her; it was only physical. This tragic flaw keeps her away from experiencing what is true; it makes her blunt and shallow. She follows a sad, never-satisfying life, which will soon lead her into ruins.
After Clara chooses Ambrose for his money, she slowly realizes that her life didn’t turn out the way she wanted it to be. Ambrose didn’t satisfy her with his money; she “pulls back”. Her materialistic character caused her to choose Ambrose, a rich man, over Patrick, who loved and cared for her so dearly. And later, she loses Ambrose and ends up with nothing.
One question I ask is, did Clara kill Ambrose or did he die of natural cause? Ondaatje lets us ponder that answer. Did her materialistic flaw cause Clara to not want Ambrose and her decision to murder him? Or is it because of this flaw that Ondaatje chooses to make Clara end up alone with nothing? We find out about Ambrose’s death after Clara calls Patrick, out of the bloom, to pick her up. Her life ends up being desperate for company.
Clara’s decision to leave Patrick dramatically affected Patrick’s life, leaving him in a miserable state, which then affects the whole story of the novel. Alice saves Patrick. Patrick saves Alice. They date and fall in love. Alice dies. Patrick goes to jail. Meets thief. Waterworks. Patrick lives with Hana. Clara’s one tragic flaw causes all those events to happen, making it an issue in the novel, In The Skin of a Lion. It is ironic and interesting to see that Patrick, who had nothing, ends up with hope and a purpose in life while Clara, who thought she would have everything, result with nothing.
2008년 8월 28일 목요일
What character do you most identify with in this novel and why?
I would have to say, Patrick.
Throughout this novel, Patrick struggles with searching for his identity and how his biggest enemy becomes himself. His insecurity of always wanting someone by his side and his struggle to overcome his many ruined states reveal a sense of being lost and without power. For example, when Clara leaves Patrick, he becomes this hopeless, emotionally destruct, and lost, off track.
I do feel pity and pathos for Patrick, because I experienced and went through a simular path.
When I came back to Korea after living my whole childhood in the US, with no intent, I began my search for my identity. I never thought of myself as an American because of my different looks. But after meeting and interacting with Koreans, I realized I wasn't "Korean" as well. I had different beliefs and principles; I was used to a completely different culture. So who was I? I was "blind" like Patrick was. A mixture of hopeless feelings and pain, many nights with tears led me to take the wrong turn. Patrick took a wrong turn when Clara left him by destroying himself emotionally. But later, he was saved by Alice. There were many people in my life who "saved" and guided me towards the right way in my search for identity. When Alice died, Patrick wanted to release his grief by going to the waterworks. When my mom got in a car accident, I experienced pain that I was unable to handle. I tried to release it by making stupid mistakes and torturing myself. But I got out of it and found my way back on the road, just like Patrick did by living with Hana, a hope in his life. Because some events in my life are related with Patrick' life, I know how it feels to be lost, which is why I respond with pathos for Patrick.
Throughout this novel, Patrick struggles with searching for his identity and how his biggest enemy becomes himself. His insecurity of always wanting someone by his side and his struggle to overcome his many ruined states reveal a sense of being lost and without power. For example, when Clara leaves Patrick, he becomes this hopeless, emotionally destruct, and lost, off track.
I do feel pity and pathos for Patrick, because I experienced and went through a simular path.
When I came back to Korea after living my whole childhood in the US, with no intent, I began my search for my identity. I never thought of myself as an American because of my different looks. But after meeting and interacting with Koreans, I realized I wasn't "Korean" as well. I had different beliefs and principles; I was used to a completely different culture. So who was I? I was "blind" like Patrick was. A mixture of hopeless feelings and pain, many nights with tears led me to take the wrong turn. Patrick took a wrong turn when Clara left him by destroying himself emotionally. But later, he was saved by Alice. There were many people in my life who "saved" and guided me towards the right way in my search for identity. When Alice died, Patrick wanted to release his grief by going to the waterworks. When my mom got in a car accident, I experienced pain that I was unable to handle. I tried to release it by making stupid mistakes and torturing myself. But I got out of it and found my way back on the road, just like Patrick did by living with Hana, a hope in his life. Because some events in my life are related with Patrick' life, I know how it feels to be lost, which is why I respond with pathos for Patrick.
What passage did you find the most beautiful in this novel and why?
The passage of Alice and Clara at the farmhouse, having physical intimicy, seemed to be one of the most powerfully written scenes in this novel. I found this passage so beautifully written that I was moved by the message it revealed. Although to a first time reader this scene may not be as attractive, if one can put on the feminisim lens and ponder about the true meaning of the two womans' intimicy, one would agree on the power and beauty of this passage.
The setting of this passage helps explore and adds more beauty to message Ondaatje tries to reveal to us readers. The farmhouse, an isolated place surrounded by nature. The night sky, two woman surrounded by stars, talking endlessly under the everlasting sky. The "moon flowers" and grass, the splenders of nature. The thunder, the power of women; it significantly emphasizes the strength of the power Alice and Clara creates.The rain, cleansing. These are some of the key factors that I thought added emphasis to the mood.
The two womans' imtimicy is not represented sexually, but beyond that. It is an act of two woman who share common morals and beliefs joining together as one. This union significantly reveals the power the women hold and grasp on to. Ondaatje is trying to show us that even though the inequality between men and women still exist, women hold power that men cannot reach. His message makes this powerful passage so beautiful, espacially in a female perspective.
The setting of this passage helps explore and adds more beauty to message Ondaatje tries to reveal to us readers. The farmhouse, an isolated place surrounded by nature. The night sky, two woman surrounded by stars, talking endlessly under the everlasting sky. The "moon flowers" and grass, the splenders of nature. The thunder, the power of women; it significantly emphasizes the strength of the power Alice and Clara creates.The rain, cleansing. These are some of the key factors that I thought added emphasis to the mood.
The two womans' imtimicy is not represented sexually, but beyond that. It is an act of two woman who share common morals and beliefs joining together as one. This union significantly reveals the power the women hold and grasp on to. Ondaatje is trying to show us that even though the inequality between men and women still exist, women hold power that men cannot reach. His message makes this powerful passage so beautiful, espacially in a female perspective.
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