21st Century Literature discussion
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The Goldfinch - Part III (January 2014)
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Terry, since I've finished the book, I cannot respond to your question about Pippa at this point. I do, however, agree that this seems to be a period of "calm and settling" for Theo. However, there are forebodings ... what to do about the painting? what's up with the Barbours? why does Theo still abstain from For me, this short part was a time to catch my breathe before we jump ahead 8 years and things get "complicated!"
Linda, feel free to talk about Pippa in the overall thread.I agree that this seemed a period of breath-catching; an eye before the storm...
Pippa's interactions are still too short and fleeting at this point to get any handle on where things might go. Based on the fact that she keeps popping into the picture, though, I'm assuming there is indeed a future between them.The gutting of Theo's old apartment has a keen emotional edge to it. In a way, it's another example of the powerless person. It also hints at the theme of transience. The senseless destruction of the marble makes both The Goldfinch and Hobie's restorations seem like accidents of fate.
Daniel, good observation on the apartment. It made me think about how he is holding the picture outside of all these changes and the inevitable march of time. All things crumble and are gone... his mother, his old life, the apartment... but the painting is in a kind of stasis for him. The fact that he does not even unwrap it or look at it is interesting from this point of view. Does he value its presence in his life more as an idea than as an object? More to think of than to experience?
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Daniel, I was just relooking at the end of Part III and this time felt what the "emotional edge" associated with the gutting of the apartment building where Theo lived with his mother. I think that edged is captured on page 427 -- "[I]t had all seemed so solid, so immutable, the whole social system of the building, a nexus where I could always stop in and see people, say hello, find out what was going on. People who had known my mother. Peole who had known by dad." Theo just keeps being traumatized. He has now lost the place where his earliest memories were formed. I think most of us have such a place that we like to visit, i.e., we want to be able to go home, to go where people know us and our family.
Linda wrote: "Daniel, I was just relooking at the end of Part III and this time felt what the "emotional edge" associated with the gutting of the apartment building where Theo lived with his mother. I think tha..."Yes, I really do need to start including quotes. That's the second time I've been called out in this discussion... :)
And you're right in pointing out that Theo keeps being traumatized. Just when things seem like they might hit some semblance of stability or equilibrium, something happens to upset the emotional balance.
Terry wrote: "Daniel, good observation on the apartment. It made me think about how he is holding the picture outside of all these changes and the inevitable march of time. All things crumble and are gone... his..."This comment brings to mind something from Chapter Six, at the end of section x: "At last, when I was done—the bundle looked like some weird science-fiction cocoon—I slipped the mummified painting, pillowcase and all, in my book bag, and put it under the covers by my feet." The concepts of cocooning and mummification struck me while reading it at the time, and it holds true here as well. The painting is, as you say, in some form of stasis while Theo's world is constantly changing.
As to what Theo values in holding the painting, again I don't think I have enough to go on at this point.
Linda wrote: "Daniel, I was just relooking at the end of Part III and this time felt what the "emotional edge" associated with the gutting of the apartment building where Theo lived with his mother. I think tha..."I had the same feeling Linda. Theo has lost his foundation; good and bad influences on his life at a time when he is still developing. His home too. I just can't imagine me hanging together after all that. Good way of putting it-"emotional edge." It continues to be part of his world. Although there was some stabilization upon his return to NY as well. Will that be enough to balance out his life and keep him on track?
Pippa is again a draw for Theo. He clearly feels very strongly for her, but it's never made entirely clear how she feels. What are your thoughts? What do you think the future might hold for them?