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After finishing this book, all I can say is that it made me so uncomfortable. The weird incestual undertones were so strange. The Oedipus complex truly was strong with this one, and also why would the mom do all that with her son there...
I had a big issue with Homs, and the way his character was treated. Being the only black boy there and the emphasis on how he was black just rubbed me the wrong way. Also the way the others treat him too.
I was suspicious of the relationship between him and his mother from the beginning and I genuinely don’t know what to think, as in it sort of felt weird and incestuous but I’m not totally sure. At times, his mom is totally normal and does motherly things, but because I’m reading from Agostino’s viewpoint I cannot tell. Maybe I’m actually imagining things and making shit up. Like, I genuinely cannot imagine why you would decide to fool around in the water with a man while your son is watching on a boat. I don’t think that’s normal or okay but what do I know I guess. The way Agostino describes things probably is the reasoning behind why I think the mother is also a part of the problem.
I think the themes of alienation (sorta) and growing up sort of spoke to me the most? His mother’s relationship with the young man pushed him away from her and led to him hanging out with the boys and Saro (fuck you Saro, die). The boys don’t really seem to think of him as one of them as his social standing differs greatly. Agostino can’t really go back to hanging out with the other wealthy kids after hanging with the boys as he feels he’s been changed too much perhaps? Or does he think he’s grown up more after hanging around with them? I feel like he doesn’t really have someone he can truly confide in.
I wanna pop my discussion question in here:
At what point in an individual’s life do they become an adult (or a “man/woman”) ?
I don’t really understand Agostino’s desire to become a man. I’m also not sure what ties virginity to growing up. I’m an adult according to the law, but I don’t really feel like one yet and I honestly don’t feel like I’ve really grown up at all. At what point did Agostino become a man? Can he share some tips for becoming an adult?
On second thought, I don’t want advice from this guy.
I think if there's something people can agree about in this book, its how it contrasts strongly and confronts defiance to societal conventions or taboos. I definitely didn't enjoy reading this, I was really weirded out by Agostino's mother-son dynamic.
ReplyDeleteamazing question and I don't think its answerable, there are so many factors, some people stay childlike all their lives, some are working full time jobs at age 5 and supporting their grandmother after their parents died according to many reels I've watched where those influencers go around raising money for them. i also loved your alienation observations, I didn't think of that, thanks.
ReplyDeleteInteresting analysis! I think that the fact that we see everything through Agostino’s eyes is one of the key aspects of the novel. Only that way we can perceive all his doubts and issues.
ReplyDeleteWe can discuss it on class.
See you tomorrow.
Julián.
I don't think there's a particular moment where someone turns into an adult. It's a process that we all go through and like one of the comments already said everyone goes through it at different times and because of different reasons. It's something we all have to go through as human beings and grow into, like on your 18th birthday, you don't feel any different, but you are different because of all the experiences you've gone through.
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