Looking back at the books we've read this semester, I must say I've enjoyed Wide Sargasso Sea and Song of Solomon the best. I've never read Jane Eyre, so I had to understand the events from class discussions. However, the main reason for enjoying both books could be contributed to Milkman's situation being strikingly similar to Antoinette's. In Wide Sargasso Sea, Antoinette didn't have a sense of belonging to neither to the English practices nor with the people of different races in Jamaica. Christopher tries to comfort her in a way, but Rochester only expresses his intimidation, and vice versa. The issue with race differences and how both sides commit to different beliefs makes it difficult for Antoinette to balance a relationship with people of different beliefs in her life. As benign of an individual as she is, in the end she is the one who took action toward the situation that caused her to lose her sense of humanity. Her confusion as to what is the right way to behave to please everyone makes her personality similar to Milkman.
Most of his life, Milkman believes he hasn't harmed anyone, but once his sister makes it apparent that their family's life is centered around him, he realizes that his own family seems distant to him. He has lived a privileged life on Not Doctor Street compared to others in his community. He has never been in need of money and has always had a laid-back job ready for him. Milkman never had to put his effort in anything because everything was already done for him. When Magdalene emphasizes that everyone does things for him, he suddenly finds it his responsibility to develop his own self.
While he is unwelcome in his own home, Milkman also feels detached from his party life in Southside. This is his place of entertainment, where he can enjoy himself, but during an argument, Guitar makes it clear to him that he doesn't belong within that community. So, could Milkman end up like Antoinette? Milkman is in need of feeling loved and wanted, which is why in last night's reading, he thinks of Hagar just as he is being strangled to death by Guitar. I'm not sure how Song of Solomon will end, but it seems like Milkman might not have a person to turn to for true affection.
Obviously, most people probably encounter Rhys's Antoinette after having already read Bronte's novel, but I see no problem in reading them in the opposite direction: I expect it will be just as interesting to read _Jane Eyre_ and see how "Antoinette" appears in that novel as it would be to see what Rhys does with Bronte's character (even though you're aware that the order of composition is reversed). You will know Rochester's "secret" before most readers would, but knowing that doesn't necessarily stop you from seeing him in a more romantic light, through Jane's eyes. She's pretty tough on him, from the start--you'll just have a clearer sense of what it is he needs "redemption" from.
ReplyDelete