Posted by Atticus on August 6, 2004, at 8:17:39
In reply to Re: So, what character would you like to be?, posted by Noa on August 6, 2004, at 4:41:58
Hi Noa,
Actually, I don't think that's an unusually dark take on the book, although perhaps the vendetta of the tongueless Ellen Jamesians is a bit of a wild card that Garp can't be held completely responsible for. On the other hand, I think Garp's desire for control and to protect those he loves from harm is clearly expressed in his story "The World According to Bensonhaver." (Not sure if I got the cop's name quite right -- been a long time since I read that book.) The cynical Bensonhaver expresses his admiration for the way the rape victim has killed her attacker, and he even destroys evidence, tossing out the blood-filled condom. I think it's an allegory for taking back control in a world full of random, meaningless brutality. Atticus
poster:Atticus
thread:374398
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/books/20040616/msgs/374623.html