Christina Putnam; SSRJ#2: Colette
Initial Personal Reaction: Other than
“A Rose for Emily,” this story is one of my favorites thus far.
One of the things I liked about it was that it was relatable. Don't
worry, I didn't marry a strangler! I related to the story because the
“young woman” seemed to be close to my age. I identified with the
young woman because I too have been so excited I couldn't sleep, and
I have apricot-pink curtains too. The bedroom setting added to the
intimacy that was suppose to be between husband and wife, but the
intimacy turned into fear.
Literary Element/Thematic Analysis: In
Colette's story “The Hand,” the symbol of the husband's hand
reveals that marriage is an institution that shouldn't be rushed
into. In the beginning of the story, Colette uses the narrator to
reveals that the young couple had dated for one month before they got
married, and that they had been married for just two weeks. The wife
gazed upon her husband's hand only to realize that “I've kissed
that hand!... How horrible! Haven't I ever looked at it?” Because
of their short relationship, she hadn't time to explore every inch of
her husband. Later in the story, the wife cries out in fear because
of the hand; “it [the hand]... grabbed a fistful of the sheet, dug
into it with its curved fingers, and squeezed, squeezed with the
methodical pleasure of a strangler.” The wife's unfamiliarity with
the hand was symbolic of how she really didn't know her husband as
well as she thought she did, and her fear could have been avoided had
she not rushed into marriage. It wasn't an accident that Colette
placed an emphasis on the brevity of the marriage. Through the symbol
of the husband's unfamiliar hand, Colette is sending a warning
message to society that marriage shouldn't be rushed into.
Questions/Comments: Why do you think
the character's names were omitted from the story?
Was the wife only attracted to the
husband on a superficial level? Because he was blond and played
tennis, or was it something deeper?
Do you think the husband killed his
previous wife? If so, do you think the current wife realized this?
If you have any feedback regarding my “theme/thesis” I would love your input! Don't feel obligated to answer all of the questions either.
I cameup with the same idea about rushing into mariage is a bad idea. I never thought that maybe the husband killed his previous wife but maybe he did, great job pointing that out.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point, relating this story to rushing into marriage. Although I think that is more of what Collete was probably trying to discuss as opposed to a murderous new husband. I think we will all look at hands in a different way from now on, LOL.
ReplyDeleteI feel the names were omitted to make the story universal, meaning this could be anybody. As far as the attraction goes, it was not only physical but it was mentally thrilling for her. This at first excites her, this new unknown love, but later she is scared when the reality sets in. I too feel there was more going on with the previous wife’s death. Why else would she be so scared?
ReplyDeleteI think the character's names were omitted from the story to keep the story from getting too personal with the characters and letting it be a representation of women in general getting married and without really thinking it through. From the text it does seem that the woman is only interested in him on a superficial level, she does not seem to know him that much to get any deeper. The story does hint that maybe the husband may have been a part in his widowing, but it can't be said conclusively. I don't believe the wife thinks too about the hand murdering his previous wife.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on your thesis with regards to people rushing into marriage before they get to know someone. Then later down the road they do get to know that person then come to find out they really don't like who that person is. I think the characters names were left out so that the story could apply to all couples. It made the story more general just a man and a girl.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the symbolism of the hand and how it represent much, much more then just a hand. It was a representative of all the things the woman did not know and of all of her fears in what lies ahead. The characters names were ommitted, in my opinion, to allow for a sort-of fill in the blank scenario. I think that the author is implying that everyone knows someone who can relate or was or is the same exact position the woman in the story is in; during the author's time that is.
ReplyDeleteThats a good question, I agree when you say was she attracted to him only on a superficial way, but the hand i was thinking also played a big part in it, but it almost seems as if the hand was a different person.
ReplyDelete