Hey everyone! I hope you all had a good and enjoyable week amidst all the chaos. As for myself, over the past few days, I read the book Mad Toy by Roberto Arlt. This book was a refreshing change from last week's Combray book by Marcel Proust. Arlt's writing style was refreshing and straightforward, missing the intricate layers of Proust's writing and instead delivering an easy and concise story to navigate. I liked how Arlt was able to convey the character's struggles without resorting to hidden meanings or messages. I found myself enjoying the narrative of a young man living a hard life, on a journey of self-discovery and trying to make sense of the vast unknown world around him. This novel is presented through a first-person narrative, which is the style I favour. Through the perspective of the main character, a young boy, I was taken through a book filled with skepticism, profound observations of society around him, and his participation in wrongdoings and unfulfilling employment. Mad Toy by Roberto Arlt has thought-provoking themes such as social inequality, the journey for self-identity, shifting environments, and disappointments. I think these topics are crucial as they enlighten us and evoke empathy toward the past while offering an accurate portrayal of reality. As the characters navigate their struggles and successes, it creates a relatable experience for readers who may have also encountered similar challenges. By reading along with the journey of perseverance, many can find comfort in knowing that others have faced hardships and overcome them as well. This connection allows for empathy and a deeper understanding of their own experiences. I think this book can serve as a source of comfort and reassurance for readers who may have felt alone in their struggles.
The character's use of imagination in the book highlights its potential for both positive and negative outcomes. The positive is that it can serve as an outlet to find comfort in the struggles of everyday life. It is a way to create a world where the individual has control. Imagination can be a valuable coping mechanism for people facing tough times. On the other hand, the same power of imagination can have negative consequences when influenced by fear and anxiety. The reliance on the "fantasy" world can stop individuals from facing the genuine world and real-life consequences. In the case of this novel, Arlt is showing problem-solving strategies
Discussion question: what moments stood out to you the most when looking at growth, how does Arlt portray that moment? Can you think of any ways where the characters' imagination serves as a positive coping mechanism? Are there instances where it leads to negative consequences?
I feel I'd like to throw your question back to you... it would be great to hear your thoughts on specific moments that exemplify some of the ideas you'e putting forward, such as "self-identity, shifting environments, and disappointments" or 'the character's use of imagination" as both negative and positive. I'd love to hear, for instance, where and how you think Silvio shows himself to be "over-imaginative" (if that's what you're suggesting).
ReplyDeleteHi Julia, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on Mad Toy, and I thought it was interesting that you mentioned the use of imagination in the book. Personally I think that often people use imagination to escape the harsh realities of the world and it serves as a coping mechanism. In that way it is positive in that it allows one's life to go by a bit easier, but I also believe that people that are too entrenched in their fantasies can often be deluded and may act on things that aren't there.
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