Ted Swenson is a writer-in-residence at a liberal arts college in New
England. It's a small town and everyone--not just the other faculty and
students, but a waitress at a restaurant and the owner of the
bookstore--know him and make assumptions about him, namely that he is
working on his third novel. However,
we, the readers of this
novel, know something different. What does it tell us about this
protagonist that he is teaching students how to write fiction and he no
longer writes it himself?
Other questions:
- What do you think of his relationship w/ Angela Argo so far? His
relationship w/ his wife? With his daughter? With his colleagues?
- What is the point-of-view of this novel and how does that affect the way you're reading it?
- Based on what you've read so far, what do you expect to happen?
- What questions do you have so far?
I think he's a crazy man that's clearly mad 😐 I would never put my life nor family on the line for a little girl (his student ) and his wife did just the right thing I hope they had crucify him too 😅😅
ReplyDeleteHonestly I have been using online sources to understand this book a lot better so it wouldn't stress me out ....... it's not the easiest
So far his relationship with Angela is harmless. However he should not allow it to escalate not even in his mind. He is already thinking that people will contemplate if he has a relationship with Angela when they see him with her. Swenson shouldn't even be thinking this way. I think that things will most likely intensify between these two and i am looking forward to reading about it.
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ReplyDeleteAn example of dramatic irony is taking place in this story where the readers are aware that Professor Ted Swenson has writers block, trouble getting inspiration to write his third novel. We as readers are also aware that Swenson is portraying a facade that he's a prestigious reader, writer and professor that has the "gifted" ability to write novels like a piece of cake. He does all of this to protect his "big" ego and image. Meanwhile, the characters in the story is unaware that Swenson has writers block and trouble getting inspiration to write his third novel. They're also unaware that he doesn't have the ability to write novels easy 123. Thirdly, while Swenson is doing all of this pretending he's actually self conscious about his two novels that are already published. Swenson's relationship with Angela Argo is a recipe for disaster. I say this because it's gotten to point where he's uncomfortable to walk behind her or be seen with her at all because people at Euston may think something is going on. I believe Swenson should set boundaries, such as stopping the frequent office visits, as he already has suspicions that Angela may have feelings for him. I feel like his relationship with his wife is rocky. For example, on their way home from the faculty meeting they had an argument over a silly song. Swenson's role as the man of the house was also questioned when him and his wife were at dinner and she was boasting about maintaining their infamous garden all by herself. Not only do they argue, but Swenson's faithfulness towards his wife is questionable as he has intimate relations with his colleagues. Once he went to his "good friend" Magda's house and they almost kissed. And every time they're about to encounter he refers to her as "pretty" or "sexy." With all of this going on, he barely has a relationship with his daughter as she went away for college and doesn't want any type of communication with her father because he scared away a boy she really had deep feelings for. Swenson feels like there's no hope for their relationship to rekindle but his wife opposes. The point of view of this novel is in Swenson's perspective. All the events occurring in the novel is in his light from him viewing his students debate about people having sex with animals to him being cautious of a "face-to-ass configuration" with Angela Argo. It affects the way you read the novel because you don't get to see where the other characters are coming from. Like Angela Argo. We don't get to see into her life and why she's always seeking validation from Swenson or why she carries that gothic image but has a delicate personality. I have read up to the part where Swenson has went to the library to find Angela's book of dirty poems. So what I predict as to what will happen next is that Swenson will address her about her book next time they have an office visit and then that will maybe kick start their intimate yet cringe relationship.
ReplyDeleteGreat response, Andrea. I think you're on the mark about Swenson's relationships w/ his wife and daughter. These are going to be crucial as the story continues.
DeleteSwenson's relationship with Angela to me is weird. From the beginning, we can see that he did not want to walk across the college and be seen with Angela. Then when they get to the building that his office is in he does not want to walk up the stairs behind Angela because as he states, h does not want to be in a "face to ass" position while they go up the stairs. As he says that, i was thinking "who thinks that?" As a profesor its very strange to think about that because he should be thinking of how he is going to help her. Swenson is very aware of Angela and what she does or how close she is to him. When they were in the room he mentiones how close their heads were. Angela also seems to be very comfortable with Swenson which is a bit alarming to me.
ReplyDeleteSwenson has quite a strange relationship with his wife. during the beginning we were able to see that he says that he adores his wife and that he is very much in love with her. He seems to really appreciate and care for his wife. later on, he contradicts himself because he reveals to us that he is not truly interested in his wife's career and her days at the clinic. He tells us that he thinks that her stories are boring and his mind wanders off to think about other things such as Angela's writing. He also reveals to us how they met. he was being cared for at a hospital and during this time he comes to write a novel that would include a lot of medical terminology and facts. He continues to visit the hospital and ask his now wife questions. i think that if it had not been for the book they would have never gotten married. They also seem to have a rocky relationship.
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