From the previous blog post, we obtained an impression of Buddy Bolden as an unethical drinker, but caring father. In general, he appeared to be a nice and harmless fellow. However, further on in the novel, we begin to discover a new side of him that was definitely unexpected. A perfect example lies in his sudden outbursts of rage that lead him to hurt other people around him. One of these situations happened with Robin, and he certainly regretted it. As Ondaatje writes:
“In the late afternoon I walk back along the shore to the small house and it is against me dark and shaded. Robin and her friends. I am full of the white privacy. Collisions around me. Eyes clogged with people. Yesterday Robin in the midst of an argument flicked some cream on my face. Without thinking I jumped up grabbing the first thing, a jug full of milk, and threw it all over her. She stood by the kitchen door half laughing half crying at what I had done. She stood there frozen in a hunch she took on as she saw the milk coming at her. Milk all over her soft lost beautiful brown face. I stood watching her, the lip of the jug dribbling the rest onto the floor.” (Ondaatje, p. 68)
This passage shows a side of Bolden that seems very wild and a little bestial. It is implied that being around Robin’s friends makes him uncomfortable, which would let readers infer that there is a side of him that is very reserved and a little antisocial. His reaction during a heated moment of argument was to lunge at a harmless and helpless woman with a jug of milk. Readers can assume that this thoughtless reaction is not strange in him, due to the fact that Ondaatje has provided other examples of his reactive behavior throughout the narrative. Hence, we can deduce that Buddy has an uncontrollable temper that can be unleashed in sudden spurts of violence that won’t spare relatives or loved ones. However, Buddy also presents a calmer side that includes regret and consideration for other’s feelings. This is further proved in the continuation of the passage, where he excuses himself, and even pursues Robin’s forgiveness. As we can see, Buddy's personality is composed of many levels that are not only conflicting, but could also be the reason behind his terminal insanity.
“In the late afternoon I walk back along the shore to the small house and it is against me dark and shaded. Robin and her friends. I am full of the white privacy. Collisions around me. Eyes clogged with people. Yesterday Robin in the midst of an argument flicked some cream on my face. Without thinking I jumped up grabbing the first thing, a jug full of milk, and threw it all over her. She stood by the kitchen door half laughing half crying at what I had done. She stood there frozen in a hunch she took on as she saw the milk coming at her. Milk all over her soft lost beautiful brown face. I stood watching her, the lip of the jug dribbling the rest onto the floor.” (Ondaatje, p. 68)
This passage shows a side of Bolden that seems very wild and a little bestial. It is implied that being around Robin’s friends makes him uncomfortable, which would let readers infer that there is a side of him that is very reserved and a little antisocial. His reaction during a heated moment of argument was to lunge at a harmless and helpless woman with a jug of milk. Readers can assume that this thoughtless reaction is not strange in him, due to the fact that Ondaatje has provided other examples of his reactive behavior throughout the narrative. Hence, we can deduce that Buddy has an uncontrollable temper that can be unleashed in sudden spurts of violence that won’t spare relatives or loved ones. However, Buddy also presents a calmer side that includes regret and consideration for other’s feelings. This is further proved in the continuation of the passage, where he excuses himself, and even pursues Robin’s forgiveness. As we can see, Buddy's personality is composed of many levels that are not only conflicting, but could also be the reason behind his terminal insanity.
No comments:
Post a Comment