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Jamie asked this question about My Year of Rest and Relaxation:
I wonder if this is an allegory about commercialism, secularism, and addiction? The novel ends with 9/11 and one of the characters is alluded to a woman who jumped from the twin towers. The suggestion of the narrator's awakening to a new reality based more on frugality, giving up dvds, videos etc. hints at alternative way of viewing the world.
Judy Lindow In the definition of "allegory" - a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one - s…moreIn the definition of "allegory" - a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one - something being "hidden" is significant. The main character attempts to find a new reality by consuming too much, mindlessly (drugs, products, media, sex, etc). Nothing hidden about this in the story. I think however, in this part of the story she's trying to cover, hide, ignore, or run away from what she's afraid of - she appears to be running from something - and we get glimpses of: abusive relationships, grief, and more - but I think what we're seeing is her running from what's hidden and it's the unknown. Wanting not to face anymore of her life if it continues to bring her suffering. And so even the numbing is a strategy to ignore the 'unknown'. I think all these addictive, numbing strategies are just that -- when I lost both parents and became an orphan I started doing crossword puzzles, consuming more, eating more, and reading fiction full time. Haha. So although it's commentary on all the tools we have at our disposal when when we run from feelings and fear of the unknown - I don't know it's some huge political message.(less)
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My Year of Rest and Relaxation
by Ottessa Moshfegh
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