I agree with everything you write, Valerie. I’m interested to see what a liberating life is for Bea. She’s staying in this drama that should not and doesn’t have to be hers. Is it just for the sake of the kids?
I don’t think that is the only reason, because she barely knows them.
I think she is enjoying seeing her brother suffer and in a way, she has some control over that, by deciding how much information to share with him now, as if she now had flipped the “control”
I agree that she has woken up since her second trip to Paris. She is deciding that she can have “more”. It wouldn’t surprise me if she changes careers at some point and does more of what “she” wanted to do before she met Leo.
No need to wait, Stephen, fire away. I will be posting about the final section Tuesday and Thursday. And James’ The Ambassadors awaits. I can’t wait to draw the parallels and contrasts between the two novels.
I agree that Bea is enjoying seeing her brother suffer and having some power over him. I also think she enjoyed the power she felt when she met with Leo. In their interaction she let him know that she knew he was not quite happy with his success. Writing movie soundtracks was not what he thought of when he thought of being a great composer. It like's prostituting himself for a director. I think Bea is going to ditch everyone after everything implodes. It's like she's watching all the moves knowing it's going to end badly and by default her life will have more meaning.
Yes, it seems like she's seeing them as an inspiration to her, like seeing others make the hard rebellious choices has given her a new perspective, and new energy to try. She herself calls Paris "the hinge". Laura also comments on how "careless" Bea is about her teaching now that she is back - she hasn't looked in her teacher's box and so has missed an important notice. So it looks like she is already moving on in some ways.
She seems caught up now in Julian and Iris's drama, but seemingly not out love or really a desire to help them. Maybe it's more that they are all "rebels" together now, so on a level with each other whether they really approve of the actions each of them takes or not.
I also wonder what will happen to her interest in them if she spreads her own wings a little further.
That is a really interesting question, on whether Bea will lose interest in Julian and Iris (and Lili), of course. And, it will be interesting to see if Julian and Lili move to Israel to be near Lili’s uncle. The whole issue of Bea’s Jewishness and her relationship to that identity is a topic that I’m suspecting Ozick get into in the final third of the book.
I think Bea was trapped in a career that she didn’t want (teaching) and a marriage she didn’t want (Leo).
I think she is protecting Julian and Iris from a life that Marvin seems steadfast to “trap” them in as well.
By not telling Marvin, they can be free.
I agree with everything you write, Valerie. I’m interested to see what a liberating life is for Bea. She’s staying in this drama that should not and doesn’t have to be hers. Is it just for the sake of the kids?
I don’t think that is the only reason, because she barely knows them.
I think she is enjoying seeing her brother suffer and in a way, she has some control over that, by deciding how much information to share with him now, as if she now had flipped the “control”
I agree that she has woken up since her second trip to Paris. She is deciding that she can have “more”. It wouldn’t surprise me if she changes careers at some point and does more of what “she” wanted to do before she met Leo.
It’s good to see her have some agency. I hope we see more of that!
I finished the book today and now I have to sit on my thumbs… really enjoyed it… looking forward to sharing my thoughts soon. 😬
No need to wait, Stephen, fire away. I will be posting about the final section Tuesday and Thursday. And James’ The Ambassadors awaits. I can’t wait to draw the parallels and contrasts between the two novels.
I agree that Bea is enjoying seeing her brother suffer and having some power over him. I also think she enjoyed the power she felt when she met with Leo. In their interaction she let him know that she knew he was not quite happy with his success. Writing movie soundtracks was not what he thought of when he thought of being a great composer. It like's prostituting himself for a director. I think Bea is going to ditch everyone after everything implodes. It's like she's watching all the moves knowing it's going to end badly and by default her life will have more meaning.
I like your theory, Nancy. I want Bea to triumph!
Yes, it seems like she's seeing them as an inspiration to her, like seeing others make the hard rebellious choices has given her a new perspective, and new energy to try. She herself calls Paris "the hinge". Laura also comments on how "careless" Bea is about her teaching now that she is back - she hasn't looked in her teacher's box and so has missed an important notice. So it looks like she is already moving on in some ways.
She seems caught up now in Julian and Iris's drama, but seemingly not out love or really a desire to help them. Maybe it's more that they are all "rebels" together now, so on a level with each other whether they really approve of the actions each of them takes or not.
I also wonder what will happen to her interest in them if she spreads her own wings a little further.
That is a really interesting question, on whether Bea will lose interest in Julian and Iris (and Lili), of course. And, it will be interesting to see if Julian and Lili move to Israel to be near Lili’s uncle. The whole issue of Bea’s Jewishness and her relationship to that identity is a topic that I’m suspecting Ozick get into in the final third of the book.