Is mysoginism the main theme?
- LV2R
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Re: Is mysoginism the main theme?
- ea_anthony
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I think you might be right (I am still reading this novel- not yet halfway), as Hiram not only thinks of himself but is also also fully into himself. You are also right at the current political climate and not only in the US (which I guess you were referring to) but in most corners of the world. I am from Nigeria and mysogynism used to be quite deep seated; it is only now just being identified and discussed here.Dael Reader wrote: ↑08 Oct 2018, 17:43 There is a strong thread of misogyny in the book. But I think the main theme is narcissism. McDowell is a man who thinks only of himself. Even in the end, he thinks he is just a misunderstood victim who doesn't deserve to suffer the consequences of his actions. Both narcissism and misogyny are still very much present in our society, especially given our current political and social climate.
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- poeticDNA_
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Personally, I don’t tolerate such in real life, however all characters must have their flaws, I guess...?
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Based on this summary, Seems like mysoginism to me. Also, some underlying mental illness. So, is mysoginism a mental disorder? I am going to read this book to see how the author explores this phenomenon.cristinaro wrote: ↑01 Oct 2018, 01:04 Apart from Hiram McDowell’s domineering personality, there are many ex and current wives, mistresses or daughters in the novel.
Carole Mastriano is McDowell’s third wife and she has to put up with both his condescending attitude and his infidelities.
Tasha is his stepdaughter who is shown no sympathy when she gets pregnant with McDowell’s son, Billie.
Rima is a nurse from Nepal who accepts to be McDowell’s mistress with no expectations to commitment.
Although unrelated to McDowell, Paige is a woman journalist who needs to fight the abusive behavior of her boss.
Considering all these and more, is mysoginism the main theme of the novel? Is it also the source of conflict and a reflection of an attitude still very much present in society?
- jgraney8
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centfie wrote: ↑10 Oct 2018, 04:22Having finished the novel, misogynism seems to be rejected in the second half of the novel. Hiram's main interactions that cause him to rethink his life come with strong women who are not described as especially physically attractive. Also, Sophie comes across as growing in strength of character as the novel progresses. It seems like the author set up an extreme version of Hiram to make the difficulty of his finding redemption more challenging.cristinaro wrote: ↑01 Oct 2018, 01:04 Apart from Hiram McDowell’s domineering personality, there are many ex and current wives, mistresses or daughters in the novel.
Carole Mastriano is McDowell’s third wife and she has to put up with both his condescending attitude and his infidelities.
Tasha is his stepdaughter who is shown no sympathy when she gets pregnant with McDowell’s son, Billie.
Rima is a nurse from Nepal who accepts to be McDowell’s mistress with no expectations to commitment.
Although unrelated to McDowell, Paige is a woman journalist who needs to fight the abusive behavior of her boss.
Considering all these and more, is mysoginism the main theme of the novel? Is it also the source of conflict and a reflection of an attitude still very much present in society?
― Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays
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And yes, misogyny is definitely a central theme to this book, which is incredibly relevant today as women are ignored, shamed, violated, mistrusted, and disenfranchised every day.
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