I find it interesting that I have only made it twenty-seven pages into the book and already there is a "low point." In this chapter, the relationship between Maternia and James quickly sours. It doesn't take a marriage counsellor to realize that they are not suited to each other. James is an intellectual, has a very strong opinion on a lot of issues and a very serious, goal-oriented personality. Maternia is still a girl. She doesn't take much responsibility well, she still has implausible and frivolous dreams, such as to pack up and move to New York.
There are two symbols in this chapter that are made apparent to me. The first is the piano. I believe the piano, in which Maternia plays day and night is a symbol of youth. James gave up his youth symbolically and realistically when his mother died and he burned her piano. In such an act, in burned down his youth. Maternia is still very attached to her piano, as she is very attached to her youth. The second symbol I noticed in this chapter is the books. James obtains copies of several classic books. This symbolizes being an adult, and seeing beyond the walls of Cape Breton, into an intellectual state. Maternia sees no need to engage herself in the reading of books.
As in the last chapter, we begin to see a hostile side to James. He is discernibly prejudiced against those different from him: "The closest neighbour was a Jew who raised kosher meat, and James kept his distance. God knows what rituals involving chicken and sheep..." (MacDonald 19). This is interesting, because James has been discriminated against because of his nationality and social class by Maternia's person. He also is abusive to his wife, and has extremely high expectations of those around him. To the reader, it appears that James is the type of individual who projects all the misdeeds done to him, and does the same thing to others, just how the school bully only bullies because his father bullies him. This is just a hypothesis, but one can guess that James had an abusive or difficult childhood. I hope we will learn more about this.
A main theme in this chapter is isolation. Cape breton is an island cut off from the rest of the world. While this might mean a tight-knit community, it also means there is no place to hide, nowhere to escape to. We hear from the narrator about James's thoughts on the island: "He worked at the Sydney Post, but read the Halifax Chronicle to get a perspective on the world outside the island-the real world" (MacDonald 21). James also confesses that he wishes to keep Maternia away from other people: "But deeo down he winced at the thought of showing Maternia to anyone. He was grateful they lived in the middle of nowhere. It wasn't that he didn't love her anymore, he did. It was just that recently, it has struck him that other people might think that there was something strange. they might think he married a child" (MacDonald 24). I predict that emotional isolation and intellectual isolation, as well as physical isolation will play a large role in this book.
There is some very powerful imagery in this chapter, when the narrator discusses where Maternia likes to go for walks. Some excellent personification is used: "Father out, it's mauve like a pair of mauve lips; closer in its copper-green, gun-gray seducing seaweed to dance the seven veils despite the chill, chained to the rocks by their hair" (MacDonald 20). This paints a picture of magic, as if the place Maternia goes to be alone, think and sing has spiritual significance to her. I've noticed that MacDonald is exceptional at creating landscapes that speak to the reader. Bravo.
While James is reading to Maternia, the author uses another effective alliteration: "..savouring the words and the warm weight of his wife cuddled close" (MacDonald 22). This makes the reader feel comfortable and almost "safe" with the repetition.
I once again have to add that i am really liking this book. I can relate a lot to the isolation of Maternia, and how she doesn't want to take responsibility of growing up. I can also relate to James's feelings of intellectual isolation in a small "backwards" town (I live in Niagara-on-the-Lake and have felt the same way all my life.)
Another insightful entry. Your responses and interpretations are very mature. The theme of childhood does come up a lot and your predictions are excellent based on your reading. What do you thin the author is trying to say about childhood? Remember that childhood is almost always tied to that idea of "ideal innocence" .... what is the commentary or criticism in this respect?
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