Author Archives: gracem15

Mad Toy – Arlt this week!

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For this week, I chose to read Mad Toy, a reading that I enjoyed but did leave me with the question of why the book is called Mad Toy. First off, I read the third section, “Mad Toy” first which definitely coloured my perception of the story when I realized my mistake and went back to read it from the beginning. What I gathered about Silvio’s life and what kind of person he was was very different after reading the whole book compared to just reading the third section. Since we see Sivilio through the main changes in his life, from the naivety of boyhood to his realization of the harshness of the world to his eventual settling into place, I felt empathetic towards him and was rooting for him throughout the book. I got such a sense of life for Silvio and a taste of what Agrentinan’s life was like and all the different people from different countries were featured. There was mention of Silvio’s mother being referred to as Frau, which after looking it up, refers to a German-speaking woman. Also the use of Italian words from the husband and wife who owned the bookshop Silvio worked for when he was 15. Also, the Andalusian cobbler was featured.

I found there was an overarching theme of books and literature throughout the book. Even in the first section of Silvio’s youth and thieving days, the group he was in chose to rob a library and take books not only to sell but to read themselves. Then when Silvio must find a job his mother says something about how until his sister was down with school, he could write something. Silvio then gets a job in a bookstore, which he attempts to burn down out of spite of his bosses. The third section even starts out with him deciding between which books to read. Finally, Silvio finishes off with the job of selling paper.

One quote that stood out to me was in the third section on page 91, “supremely calm, with a serenity that came from my bad luck”. I just loved this line and thought it described Silvio quite well. He is a person who is used to things not going his way, but throughout the book, we see him mostly proceed through calmly, never yelling or making a big fuss. There seems to be a quietness with his rage, a stealth that might have come from his thieving days.

Additionally, the book felt very chronological in the way it advanced, like it almost was a biography or a recollection of past experiences. It almost felt like a long story. But the main question I would love to know more about is why the book is called Mad Toy. So I’ll ask all of you! Does anyone have any inklings or ideas?

 

 

All About Proust

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I really enjoyed reading this piece, and the more I read, the more immersed I was in the story. One thing that I want to note about the reading was how description-driven it was. If someone asked me what the plot was, it would be difficult to describe. I would probably say something about how it’s about a young boy growing up, his descriptions of an important time in his life, and how place, specifically Combray, helped to shape him. There were many little lines and quotes that I noted down as I read, some that jumped out at me or because I loved the metaphor used. I actually wrote two down about habit, one from the beginning of the reading and one from the end. “Habit! That skillful but very slow housekeeper” (pg 17) and “Habit had taken me in its arms, and it carried me all the way to my bed like a little child” (pg 71). I love how both lines feel so similar in the sense of home and routine.

The use of language and description has made for an enjoyable read. The narrator used so many references to smells and tastes that really helped me feel and experience everything that the little boy was feeling. I also loved the character of Aunt Leonie and was reminded of my own Grandmother who clings to routine like the Aunt does. I love the simplicity of their life and how important place was to them. Where we grow up and experience things becomes so vital and tied to our being. Growing up by the water, I feel intrinsically connected to the ocean and couldn’t imagine living anywhere far from it. It feels similar to the narrator in the reading as he connects to Combray and both the Guermantes and Meseglise way. They shaped him and he credits them for who he is.

The big question I had at the beginning was why the boy wanted a kiss from his mother so badly. I thought maybe it was because he wasn’t given enough attention or potentially lacked a positive attachment to his caregiver, but then as I read on, I realized it was just one of those aspects of being young. Growing up, my younger brother was similar in his routines and how specific he needed everything to be. He would be so quick to cry and scream when things would deviate, as the little boy was. I felt as though we almost got to watch the little boy grow up and how his views of himself and the world around him changed and matured. It is in this same way I see my brother now.

One question I have for discussion would be about place and if there, like the boy in the reading, is a place you credit an important part of yourself to?

 

 

 

First Post!!

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Hi everyone:) my name is Grace and I’m in my second academic year at UBC. My major is psychology and I plan to minor in creative writing. I was born in Victoria on Vancouver Island and loved growing up in such a beautiful place. I live right by the beach, and the ocean will forever have a very special place in my heart. I’m the middle child, with an older sister and younger brother who I am close with and whom I love very much. My sister is in a part responsible for my love of books, as she would read to me before bed and encourage me to read the books she loved. My family is also extremely close and we do family dinners every Sunday at my Grandma’s house. I also love all things jewelry and work at a local jewelry store where I get to make some of the stuff we sell and be around beautiful things when I work. I honestly don’t have much of a plan for after graduation, but I know I want to do some travelling and maybe Au Pair in France to work on my French. I might go to grad school later to become a counselor, but I’m undecided! I’m also planning to go on exchange next year to London! I would definitely classify myself as a book person and reached my goal to read 30 books in 2023 (my goal for 2024 is 40!).

I love to write and read and heard that this class is set up nicely so all the readings don’t seem too overwhelming. I mostly read fiction, like fantasy and mystery, and I’m both looking forward to and nervous about reading more sophisticated books. I’m expecting to be challenged, but hopefully, with the practice of reading these types of books, I’ll improve with each one. I also took French all throughout school and so have a little experience with one of the “romance languages” so I’m curious to see if that will benefit me in any way!

In response to the videos on Romance Studies, one phrase that stuck out to me was that romance languages were “Latin’s bastards’ offspring”. I thought it was funny but also interesting. Without the dissolving of power of the Roman Empire and the breakdown of the use of Latin, we wouldn’t have French, Spanish, or Italian. They all have roots in Latin, but all formed to become different things. When Professor Beasley-Murray posed the question “Where is the Romance World?”, my first thoughts went to Italy or France, thinking of stories like Romeo and Juliet. But in reality, there is no “romance world”. It has no territory and therefore no true definition. In learning this, I am very curious to explore more about what actually constitutes romance studies and how they are classified. Overall, I’m looking forward to this class!