In the beginning of this passage, the American girl had a very big interest in the cat, which was alone in the rain. As her husband was in bed reading, he did not seem to have much interest, but the girl went outside to search for the cat anyways. As she walked out of the hotel, she noticed the padrone had made a point of making her feel like he thought highly of her and was interested in her. When the girl came back empty handed and all she wanted was some kind words from her husband, he snapped at her. The American girl really only wanted the cat and to receive some love from her husband, who didn't seem to care of her at all. The padrone from downstairs was the one who showed his caring heart by going out in the rain and retrieved the cat for the girl.
As we see in this passage, there are two sets of dynamics between the men that are connected with the American girl. Her husband, who shows some interest towards the beginning of the chapter, but then ends up snapping at his wife at the end and did not act like a husband is supposed to act towards his wife and then there was the padrone, who consistently had an attentive eye for the girl and ended up being the hero at the end of the chapter. Even thought we do not see too much emotion from the padrone, we see somewhat of instant compassion from him towards a stranger and makes the girl satisfied at the end, when she could not get that same satisfaction from her own husband.
Why do you think the padrone ended up retrieving the cat for the girl?
Why do you think the husband treated his wife the way he did at the end of the passage?
I think the husband was a little annoyed with his wife because she was bored and wouldn't stop talking about all of the material things she wanted. Also, he offered to go get the cat, and he complimented her on her hair, but she ignored his statements and continued talking. He just wanted to read his book and relax, and she kept interrupting him. I think the wife was in need of attention and affection from her husband, and because she wasn't getting either, they were both a little irritated with each other.
ReplyDeleteTo me, this passage seemed like it might have been Hemingway's attempt at putting a woman's perspective in the book. The American woman has a list of wants that are unfulfilled: a nice meal with candles and silver, a change of seasons, long hair that she can brush, new clothes and a cat. While those things aren't necessarily only equated with traditional female gender roles, they do seem like they're all related (sometimes tangentially) to that or to starting a family. And the cat might be the next best thing.
ReplyDeleteI think that Hemingway is drawing attention to the materialistic tendencies of many Americans in this passage. The phrases "I want" and "I can" are repeatedly used to describe things that this woman wants in her life. She is making herself the focal point and keeps uttering her desires even though her husband is not interested. I then think it's interesting to note how the woman does end up getting what she wants at the end of the passage.
ReplyDeleteThe cat in this passage seems to mirror the situation that the “American wife” is in. While the cat is trapped in the rain, the wife is constrained by her husband. When she returns to their room after failing to retrieve the cat, she becomes frustrated when her husband continues to shoot down her plans and desires. Her material desires mask her true wish for affection from her husband and they continue to live a disconnected marriage.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn this passage, Hemingway is commenting on the culture and mindsets of Americans. The wife in the passage has a lot of material desires as if to fill the void where her life lacks intangible pleasures such as love and affection.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the padrone retrieved the cat for the girl to display his interest in her and to please her. Perhaps Hemingway has the padrone retrieve the cat instead of the husband as another way of exemplifying the differences in lifestyles and cultures (i.e. the padrone owns a hotel; his lifestyle revolves around making others comfortable, whereas the husband in the story disregards his wife’s feelings because he doesn’t feel that it’s required of him to pay attention and respond to all her comments).
The husband gets annoyed with his wife because she nags him about everything she wants. His nonchalant attitude towards her reflects his lack of interest and also his irritation by her constant need for new things and attention.
I think this highlights the mindset of Americans very clearly. The wife feels as though she is entitled to the things she wants because she isn't getting something. "I want a cat. I want a cat now. If I can't have long hair or any fun, I can have a cat." Most people in this world would not be able to state something they want and truly expect to receive it at that exact moment. While this passage highlights American exceptionalism and materialism, I think it also illuminates American's tendency to become complacent with their life. The husband shows obvious complacency towards his wife as he gives her monotone responses and treats her as if she is just a prop in the room with him. She is complacent to her lifestyle as she is always wanting something. When the padrone brings the cat to the wife, this shows how American's complacency and materialism is fueled all the time because it is encouraged by those who respond to their "needs."
ReplyDelete