I must admit that the first portion of the work was really difficult to get in to. The story was just about a family and a party, and I could not find any real depth in the story. Halfway through I was able to finally get in to the story. I enjoyed getting to experience the setting through Gabriel's thoughts.
The most influential portion of the work for me was the scene of Gretta listening to the song. This set the scene for the rest of the story. Gabriel was enamoured once more with his wife, but she was caught in misery of the past. I feel that the scene in the inn was a turning point in Gabriel's life because he finally realized that he had not experienced as much as the wife who me he desperately tried to shelter. The irony of this struck me! The author emphasized how Gabriel coddled his wife, but the story comes full circle for Gabriel to finally see that he is not truly above her and does not really possess the right/experience to guide her life.
I definitely agree with you - the story was a bit hard to get into. I thought there would be more than the party everyone was attending, but the story never really expanded from there. I thought something over the top would happen, a plot twist we didn't see coming. I felt bad for Gabriel because his wife was thinking about an old flame while he just wanted to be with her. Overall, the story was a bit slow, but the ending made up for it.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that the beginning of the story was dry and not the most intriguing and the ending did throw me for a loop. I didn't see it coming. I like your analysis of their relationship though. I didn't notice that when I read it for myself. It may be because I found it hard to get through the beginning, but, nevertheless, your outtake on it was interesting and a new perspective on the story and I must thank you for that.
ReplyDelete(Gretta & Gabriel)
ReplyDeleteThe flow in the beginning of this story was difficult for me to get into as well. I thought it was my mind-set. I also noticed in the text how he rousingly look at her. I thought that was awesome for a husband to still find desires in his wife. However, when Gabriel noticed Gretta remained mentally removed from him (being horny), he grew irritated by her behavior. So, when Gabriel asked about her attitude he only thinks of his self. I thought it was interesting when she revealed the truth about her state of mind and the song from her past. I sensed Gabriel felt foolish because he was jealous of a dead man, and finding out this man was her first love. I wish I could see Gabriel's face, I bet he thought he was her first love. Joyce reveals a partial insight to men and their thoughts and appreciate that.