Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Gogol's Future Looks Like Failure
Throughout chapter 9, I felt very frustrated and upset with Gogol. I feel as if by marrying Moushumi, he simply settles because he does not want to take a chance and get hurt like he did with Maxine; it seems as if he takes the safe route through Moushumi. Also, I think he knows that they do not truly love each other and it will not work out. I think if he actually loved her, he would feel more excited for their marriage. For example, the narrator states right before his wedding, "he could have done a few miles on the treadmill before preparing himself for the event" (222). Through this, the author indirectly characterizes Gogol as distracted and uninterested. On the day of Gogol's wedding, he should feel happy and he should look forward to it, not feel bored and want to go running. From the beginning of their marriage, Gogol seems uninterested and out of touch. Then, later in their marriage, the narrator describes that Gogol "knows that that sort of insular passion can't be sustained" (237). Through this, Gogol has such a negative and depressing tone. In addition, I think this foreshadows that his and Moushumi's relationship will eventually fall apart. Through his depressed tone, it seems as if he believes the relationship will end up boring and fail. I feel like Gogol can never feel happy because he only sees the negatives of every situation. And, if they actually loved each one another, this love would not fade out, only change as time goes on. Gogol is unhappy with his relationship, but he does not do anything about it. I wish Gogol would take a stance and do something about his unhappiness. However, I think he himself will hinder him from every truly feeling happiness.
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I agree that Gogol and Moushumi's marriage seemed as if they simply settled. However, I feel that Gogol did care a little bit about Moushumi and that Moushumi married him just for security. The narrator explains how “she recalled the panic she’d felt, all her friends married” (249). This displays Moushumi’s want for marriage, not necessarily Gogol. The narrator continues that “she believed that he [Gogol] would be incapable of hurting her as Graham had” (250). Moushumi chose Gogol due to the fact that he foiled Graham. She conveys no true feelings for him, merely a want for the safety and security marriage holds. I feel that Moushumi did not truly care about Gogol and they married out of convenience.
ReplyDeleteI actually agree with you, I feel as though Gogol acts sheepsihly in the way that he aproaches the situation with his wife. They should talk it out and come to an agreement on what should happen or how they should repair things and any possbile lost love. I too with Gogol would speak his mind to Moushumi. The quote about him wanting to run on the treadmil I feel really conveys his subtle lack of interest in marriage, and quite possibly Moushumi.
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