There is no doubt that Boris and Theo -- uncared for and unwatched by any adults -- are both coping with the pain in their lives with self-medication and a mildly lawless attitude towards life. Now that Boris has a girlfriend, Theo begins to move away from that lifestyle more and spends more time with his father. Who appears to be more healthy for Theo, Boris or his father? Explain with support.
Tartt uses a lot of profane language in this section, largely in the interactions between Theo and Boris. In my creative writing class, I make it clear that if student writers are going to use profanity, that it must be purposeful. Seeing as this novel won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Literature, the writer must have demonstrated some important need for this type of language. If you were Tartt and you were in my creative writing class, how would you defend your use of that language? What purpose does it have to the story? How does it make the reader feel? How does it characterize these two boys? Is this, like any good novel, a mirror of the world as we know it? If so, how does language play into that, especially the violent, ugly nature of the language these two young men use towards each other?
Mr. Silver's first visit causes some anxiety for Theo, though his father kind of blows it off. Boris knows it could be big trouble, but it doesn't really seem to bother him much, either. Should there be concern? If so, how much?
Allusion Alert: Hart Crane poem and Silas Marner. Check them out. How might they be significant to the story?
Why do you think Theo keeps getting the painting out and looking at it...then wrapping it back up and putting it back? Why is he suddenly more paranoid about its safety?
Are you surprised by anything from Theo's conversation with Mr. Bracegirdle? What do we learn about Theo's father in this scene?
Theo loses his father and Boris in quick succession, though in very different ways. Why does he regret the loss of Boris more? Why does he say that it was better that he didn't take Boris with him? Do you think it's better?
While in many ways Boris was not good for Theo, I would argue that in many ways he was good for Theo. Theo has a knack for meeting strangers who are good for him. How is the magic cabbie good for him? The bus driver? What might have happened without these two strangers?
Why does Theo feel the painting is like a "holy icon"? How does it protect him?
Do you agree with Xandra -- that Theo is more like his father than he knows? What evidence of that have we seen so far?
66 comments:
Theo and Boris have a strong and strange connection. Boris is Theo’s ONLY friend and the ONLY person that he truly loves in the world at this point. The Author really just brushes off the fact that Theo’s father died in a car crash and it correlates to how Theo feels. It’s not a huge deal to Theo other than the fact that he doesn’t have a place to live and nowhere to go. His father was a terrible, alcoholic, deadbeat dad that Theo never had the chance to love. Separating from Boris was incredibly hard for Theo because Boris had been there for him, and above all was a friend he needed. Although Boris was not exactly and good influence on Theo, at least he cared about him. For Theo, it was the first time someone actually cared about him after his mom died and wanted to be in his life. I think it was the best decision that Boris did not come with Theo because it probably would have spiraled into a bad situation. Theo had turned into a completely different person while he was friends with Boris, and he needed a separation from him in order to move on from his time in Vegas.
The purpose of the profane language is to show a transition. In real life, as a child the only people we hear swear are adults or other kids that we see as bad. This fits perfectly with the sense of transition that I associate with the swearing from characters. Theo doesn't swear all too much until he meets Boris. Along with swearing Theo also picks up drinking, smoking, stealing, and doing drugs. For this reason one could associate the fact that once Theo starts swearing he also becomes worse as a person. One can also make the assumption that Tartt uses profane language to show that a character is an adult. When Boris is first established as a character, his language is very rough and crude, but the story of him taking care of himself shows that he is an adult. Theo, once he begins to swear, becomes much better at taking care of himself and others. He takes on the responsibility of taking care of the dog, himself, and at times Boris. I've always associated swearing with adults and delinquents, both of which are represented in the book.
Theo’s conversation with Mr. Bracegirdle didn’t surprise me at first because it sounded like a lot of legal/financial stuff. But towards the end, Mr. Bracegirdle mentioned two incidents when someone tried to access Theo’s accounts without Theo’s permission, which I found suspicious. Theo immediately thought of his father, as I did. The first incident took place about two months or so after Theo’s mother died. If it really was Theo’s father, then it suggests that he was having financial issues around that time. But it could also say that Theo’s father knew it was a vulnerable time and would try to get the money when he thought it wouldn’t look suspicious. Either way, Theo’s father was greedy. The second incident took place in the last week. Theo gave his father his social security number because his father wanted to set up a savings account in his name. But really, he lied and tried to make another grab at Theo’s money and was unsuccessful. Since it was two years between the incidents, Theo’s father was probably doing well financially. But when he got desperate, he tried to take Theo for all he had. Altogether, it shows that Theo’s father only cared about himself and money. It also shows that he would lie and cheat to get what he wanted.
The reason that Theo regretted the loss of Boris over his own father was because, unlike his father, Boris actually cared about what happened to Theo. In the end of the section, Boris seemed to actually be begging for Theo to stay, to convince him just ONE more day, and he would go with Theo. In many ways, Boris was a friend to Theo, helping him get rid of the pain of his losses and getting him to do new things, maybe not good things, but new all the same. Theo's father didn't care, ever, so Theo didn't either, why would Theo care about someone who doesn't care about him (especially when that someone is his father) after all that he's been through? Although Theo may care, Boris was a bad influence on him, and I think it was a good decision to not take him with him back to New York. Bringing Boris would bring the life he made in Vegas to New York. That's something that the author made clear, and I think Tartt agrees with the fact that it was for the better. Theo needed to cure the broken pieces within him, and bringing Boris with him would only slow down the healing process.
No, I am not surprised by anything in the conversation with Mr. Bracegirdle. We learn many things about Theo’s father in this scene. He is manipulative, and will even become violent just to get what he wants. Who knows maybe that was his plan all along, or maybe things weren’t working out in his favor so this was his next plan. From the beginning I believe Theo’s father assumed he could get some money out of the situation so maybe he thought this was his chance. Theo’s father kept trying to make it sound like the restaurant idea was all for Theo’s benefit in the end but I’m sure his father would have taken that away too and left Theo with no benefit.
I think Boris is a healthier relationship from Theo mentally and physical. Aside from all of the drugs and alcohol. Boris and Theo shared a bond that Theo had been lacking since his mother passed away. Theo's father means nothing to him. He father is an alcoholic and a drug abuser. This impacted Theo a lot when he was younger and looking for a father figure. Boris helped Theo grow up and become more independent which is something Theo needed.
Even though Theo had gotten into some not so good things with Boris, he was still a much better person over his pathetic father. Theo could have never had a meaningful relationship with someone like that, but Boris was different. Boris cared about Theo and at that time that is something Theo needs desperately, to feel cared for and that he's not alone. That's why it's so difficult for him to leave Boris over his father. The difference in relationships had made such an impact on Theo.
Tartt's use of colorful language serves many purposes at this point in the book. One of the biggest reasons is that is shows how much Theo has changed since his mother passed and he moved to Vegas. Boris' introduction into his life has caused him to become much more careless about his actions and his attitude. The lack of parenting in his life has forced him to attempt to be more mature and take care of himself. His use of language reflects on this need to grow up, along with the general attitude him and Boris have. Before Theo moved to Vegas and experienced these new things he was rather sheltered and generally a well-natured person. The change in his surroundings when he does move is best reflected with how he begins to act and present himself, mostly through the use of strong language.
Theo is once again given a hard slap in the face by reality when Mr. Silver comes to visit. Even though Theo doesn't completely understand the conversation, he comes to the correct conclusion that his father is in debt to this man. For the first time since the bombing, Theo feels quite threatened that there could be another drastic change in his life. This leads to his paranoia about the painting in two ways. Firstly, Theo obviously knows that the painting is worth a great deal of money. He has also known his dad as the type to steal if he wanted or needed to do so. There is absolutely nothing to stop Theo's father from panicking about the money issues, snooping around, finding the painting, and either turning it in for a reward or selling it. Either way, Theo is taking a larger risk with the painting than he was before and now, to prevent himself from getting into trouble, wants to do all in his power to ensure that no one can easily get his or her hands onto it.
Secondly, Theo is noticing a pattern in his life, in which everything he loves ends up being snatched away from him. His mother has died unexpectedly; his father has taken him away from the Barbours; distance and Boris's crude remarks have severed Theo's contact with Hobie; and the appearance of Kotku has slightly destroyed his friendship with Boris. Thus, Theo realizes that if his father takes the painting - the one thing in Las Vegas that always gives him peace - Theo will have nothing that he will certainly be able to cling to. Theo needs to keep the painting safe and hidden not only to avoid getting into legal trouble, but also to prevent one more precious thing in his life from being mercilessly taken away from him.
If I were Tartt, I would say that the use of profanity is essential to telling the story and to invoke and maintain the tone of the novel being serious with Theo's mom dying, the sins and wrongdoings of Theo's father and Boris's father, and the vices that Theo develops while he is in "Sin City" with Boris. This language makes the reader feel uncomfortable at times and emphatic since it only amplifies the harshness of Theo and Boris's upbringing. I would say that the profanity also helps make the novel more relatable and fitting to real-world situations. The language plays into mirroring the world since the world is a harsh place and there are no censors on how people feel, so this best conveys that.
When Theo is talking to Mr.Bracegirdle he doesn't seem to remember him until he starts to explain his friendship with Theo's mother. I understand why Theo was trying to do what his father said, he was scared after his father smacked him. I wasn't surprised when Mr. Bracegirdle said that on two different occasions someone has tried to get the money left for Theo. I have no doubts that both times it was Theo's father and that is why his father starts to look so sick while listening to the conversation. The only thing that surprised me is why Mr. Bracegirdle didn't seem more worried about Theo and why he was randomly asking for the money and being so shaky and secretive. He started to question Theo but didn't push it so I wonder if that will come back later in the story. Theo's father making him call and ask for the money shows that he is not as stable of a father as Theo began to think. He started taking Theo out to dinner and spending more time with Theo but now he is showing that he still is not a responsible adult and does not care what is best for Theo. I think that Theo knows that his father is lying about the restaurant but he is too frightened of his father to do anything about it.
Theo no longer believes he is a child and by using the profane language he is 'demonstrating his maturation'. In today's world we see people use this type of language typically with people we deem as 'bad'. We know that Theo hanging out with Boris isn't the best thing he could do (i.e. the stealing, drinking, smoking, etc.). By Tartt writing in this way it makes her readers feel uncomfortable and out of place. It is meant to do this and make the reader see these two boys as to what she envisioned while writing them, juvenile delinquents. It definitely shows what is happening in today's generation of teenagers. Also, by showing Theo before he moved to Las Vegas, an AP student moved up a grade, to now where he is skipping school and using this kind of language shows us that he is changing and growing in a direction that may not be best for him. As the book goes on we can only hope for Theo to get his act together and become the better person we are all rooting for. By his current actions we feel more inclined to want him to better himself and get out of this rut.
Honestly, I am not shocked with the information we find out in the conversation with Mr. Bracegirdle. We find out that Theo’s father is extremely manipulative and violent. His anger can occur at any moment especially when he doesn’t get what he wants. I think that his father came back because he wanted money from Theo’s dead mother. His father didn’t care whether Theo got anything or not as well.
Theo regrets losing Boris more because Boris truly loved Theo. Theo's father constantly showed that his love for Theo was only because it was expected of a father to his child. Boris didn't have to care about Theo, or treat him the way he did, like family. Boris did what he did because he cared about Theo in a way that he (Boris) wasn't. It was better for Boris to stay in Vegas mostly to give Theo a better chance at a future. While Boris did offer many things that Theo needed in his life, Boris also posed many things that would prevent Theo from achieving great things in life.
After Boris gets a girlfriend, Theo's father seems to be a better person to be around, at least on the surface. Because of Boris's girlfriend, Boris no longer provides the companionship or the sense of caring Theo had become accustomed to. At this point in time, Theo's father steps in and temporarily fills this roll, however fragile it may seem. Because Theo, around his father, is abusing harmful substances less and eating proper meals more, Theo's father is physically healthier for Theo. However, because Theo's father can easily become abusive, physically and emotionally, Boris is healthier psychologically.
Theo likes to think of the painting as a "holy icon" because his mom loved the painting and knew so much about it that it reminds him of her. It was at the last place he saw his mom before the bombing, I like to think of the painting as a cross necklace and Theo, a soldier. He pulls out the painting in time of need or for calming down just as some soldiers do with a cross necklace when they are scared for their life or need some guidance. The painting protects him from himself, from sleeping so deep in depression that there is only one true and absolute solution.
The conversation with Mr. Bracegirdle does not surprise me at all. In this part of the book, we learn even more awful things about Theo's father. We learn how he can change people's opinions and manipulate them into agreeing with him, and we learn that he can become very violent (not very surprising coming from an alcoholic). I think that his father is only in this for the money. He saw his chance and took it right away. I think his father also kept trying to make it sound like he was benefiting Theo with the restaurant idea, but I'm positive that he never cared at all and in the end but I’m sure his father would have taken that away too. He has never cared about Theo.
I do happen to agree with Xandra. After Theo and Boris became better friends, it becomes inevitable how similar Theo is to his father. It starts with Theo running from his problems, just like his father ran from Theo and his mother. In both instances, Theo and his father both run to alcohol to numb their issues and try their best not to confront it. Also, like his father, Theo keeps a short fuse, especially with Boris. It doesn't take much for Theo to throw out an "F Bomb" towards Boris when he is pushing his buttons. Boris tends to dish it right back, but still, that short fuse comes right from his Dad. In addition to running towards drugs in alcohol, they literally run from things. Theo's father packed up and left his child and a marriage. Following in his footsteps, after his fathers death, Theo packed up, left his best friend and Xandra.
Silas Marner is very similar to The Goldfinch. After researching the summary of Silas Marner, it seems to follow almost the same story as Theo's (however, the stories are told from different perspectives). At the beginning of Silas Marner, the main character (you guessed it- Silas Marner) is framed for a crime of which he did not commit. The false criminal is then cast out from his town and moves on to acquire a small fortune, which is then stolen. However, Silas is rewarded by the end of the novel with the arrival of a young girl, Eppie .Eppie's mother died on her way to out her ex-husband and prove to the town that the two had been married- which would ruin his reputation and his current relationship. Eppie's father, formerly attempting to hide any connection to Eppie or her mother, later confesses to his new wife of his marriage and attempts to take care of his daughter, which she (now an older young woman) politely declines to.
This novel and The Goldfinch are very similar. Eppie and Theo are matches. Both of their mothers had passed, both of their fathers had abandoned them, and both were "adopted" by caring figures. Silas Marner and Hobie are matches, as well. Both men had difficult pasts- Hobie's with his father, and Maner with the framed crime and loss of his small wealth.
The similarities are significant to the story because it might lead the reader to a concluded ending for The Goldfinch. By the end of the novel Silas Marner, both Silas and Eppie are happy. Eppie is married to a townsmen named Aaron, and Silas finds joy in his new family. This could mean that happy endings are in store for Theo and Hobie.
Also I couldn't help but comment on how Silas Marner and Les Miserables have very similar plot points and themes. Which could mean that in The Goldfinch there are minimal happy endings and a lot of deaths...but let's hope for the best!
I would agree that while Boris may be a bad influence on Theo, he seems to be good for his soul. Had Theo not met Boris in Nevada, Theo would have been left with nothing but bitter memories from the explosion back in New York. He would have been moping around the house all by himself with no one to talk to, especially since his father and Xandra were gone so often. The magic cabbie was good for him because he gave Theo good advice, especially on how to sneak his dog onto the bus without anyone noticing. If Theo wouldn't have been given this "lucky" advice, he would have had to leave Popper behind. The bus driver was kind enough to allow Popper on the bus, even though it was against the rules. If she would've kicked Theo off the bus, he would have been stranded for some time in the middle of nowhere. All of these strangers that Theo meets have been lucky coincidences, and have proved valuable to his journey.
Mr. Silvers visits are always the best parts of this chapter. I love his character, he is the classic loan shark that acts polite and nice, but when you get him made he will take care of "Business." When he first visits Theodore he is nice and calm and states that his dad owes him "5 Big Ones" Theodore gets kind of scared but his father just doesn't really take notice to it , but when he comes back when Theodore and Boris are home things get scary. He comes with a baseball bat "just for show" to scare Theodore to Let his dad know that he owes him the "5 Big Ones" The part that was my favorite was when Boris called and Theodore picked it up then hung up. Mr. Sliver asked if it was his dad, "You would tell me if that was him, right," I cant take him seriously. The lines he says are so stereotypical it makes me laugh, thats why I like him. They should be scared though he means "Business."
I think Theo is obsessed with the protection of the painting because it was such a big part of both his mother's life and her death. She took Theo to the museum the day she died to show him the painting because it was one of the last days of the exhibition. She told him that she had seen the painting in an artbook when she was a child and it was what had sparked such a passionate interest for art in her life. Theo had taken the painting out of traumatic shock and since he was too afraid to return it, he knew it was up to him to protect it for at least his mother's sake.
Theo regrets the loss of Boris more because Boris actually cared from him and was there for him. I really like and agree what Abby said about how The author just merely goes over about how Theo's father dies in a car crash, and that is related to how Theo feels. In Theo's mind he didn't see the big deal, he was mostly just worried about how he had no one or no where to go. Theo didn't love his Dad but I do believe he loved Boris. Boris gave him the Love that his father never did, which isn't surprising since he is an alcoholic. Also, Boris may have not been the best influence but that is what Theo needed, someone to care for him and someone to care for. Theo needed a friend and Boris was there to fill that hole, but it is good that Boris did not go with Theo because it would bring his life in Vegas to New York. That would ruin the chance that Theo had to change his path for the better. Boris was good for the time being but Theo's move was for him to heal and move on from all the bad in Vegas and bringing Boris would just bring Vegas to New York and Theo would never heal.
A summary of what Hart Crane poems embody basically revolve around little self esteem and frequent encounters with alcohol. Sounds just like Boris and Theo's daily routine. Hart Crane wrote his poetry in order to portray the "American Experience" such as drinking till the sun comes up and numbing all issues with alcohol abuse, just how Theo and Boris spent their time. Also, "Silas Marner" related to Boris as a character. Silas is a character that is infatuated with money, but refuses to use it so thus lives off as little as possible. Similarly to Boris who may not have hoarded his money, but he was great at theft and sneaking around to make a living off what little he had.
Theo with Boris wasn't a good mix. They were out for trouble. All they did was drink and do drugs. Boris tries to get Theo to hang with a girl to and every girl Boris says Theo doesn't think they'd want. They wouldn't want to do what they do. This is just proves that they are unwatched by any adults. Theo talks about how his hair has grown out, his teeth hurt from so much candy, and how malnourished he is. If he had a caring adult around that stuff wouldn't happen. If Theo never would have met Boris he would have been stuck dreading on the past so Boris was helpful with that but he was a bad influence on him. When Theo started hanging with his dad more he learned more about him and actually wasn't influenced with drugs and alcohol as he would have been with Boris. Theo also started hanging with new people even going places that were drug free.
I believe that Theo spending more time with his father is better for Theo than Theo spending more time with Boris. As Theo spends time with his father they grow closer together and bond stronger and almost make up for lost time. Theo's father takes him to classy restaurants and they grow more interested in one another and Theo is more responsible in my opinion, than when he is around Boris. Boris is a bad influence on Theo as he involves him in multitudes of drugs that increasingly grow stronger working their way up to acid and cocaine, and Boris also continually supplies Theo with alcohol. Tartt's use of profane language in this section characterizes both Theo and Boris. The use of profane language shows how close these two friends are and how comfortable they are with one another. You wouldn't curse around people that you are normally unfamiliar with, yet around friends you don't seem to watch your language as much and you let the curse words fly. This language makes the reader feel uncomfortable at first but as they continue to read on they grow more accustomed to the strong language and grow closer to the characters as a whole. The language does mirror real life as if you listen up especially in places with large groups of people such as school, concerts, or crowded restaurants, you will more than likely hear this type of language.
In Silas Marner, just like Theo, a character named Eppie who is two at the time is orphaned after her mother dies in the cold and her father ignores her existence. Eppie is taken in by Silas Marner who reminds me of Hobie; this alludes that Theo is like Eppie and Hobie is like Silas and towards the end of the novel when Eppie is grown up her father wants to adopt her much like Theo's father takes him back in. I believe Theo keeps getting the painting out and looking at it as it still reminds hiim of his mother, and he is paranoid that if he loses the painting then he will lose all he has left of his mother. Through Theo's conversation with Mr. Bracegirdle we learn that Theo's father had tried to take money from the funds set up by Theo's mother twice before and that Theo's father thought that Theo could get him the funds that he needed to pay off his debt. We learn that Theo's father doesn't care too much for Theo but for the money that was left for Theo.
Boris is definitely a better influence on Theo, because even though he may not be into the best things, a father should never hit their son like Theo was hit. There should be a lot of concern in the boys over Mr. Silver because who knows if he is going to harm them for his dad’s money. Theo keeps looking at the painting like a gateway back to his mother, even though he doesn’t admit that. It was better he didn’t take Boris to New York with him so he could turn his life around a bit even though Boris always looked out for Theo.
There are multiple reasons for Tartt deciding to add more profane language to her story, the most important being for a sharp contrast between the Theo who was still clinging onto the warmth of his mother in NYC and the Theo we see now. A lot has happened up to this point; Theo's father returns into his life and is suddenly taking him to the gritty, dessert surroundings of Las Vegas. Theo's life becomes one of constant bad news in the sense that nothing goes the way he hopes it to; his mother dies, then he has to leave everything he knows, as well as the compassion of the Barbours and Hobie, behind. This would take a toll on anyone, so Theo is no exception. He begins to cope with the help of Boris, whose life is similarly complicated, which takes the form of profane language and the two getting themselves into trouble. In this case, they're essentially shooting a middle finger to the rest of the world, even if they don't quite realize it. I've never had any problems with swearing in a novel, mostly because it's common enough in our daily lives and makes for good characterization, so I appreciate the sudden change of Tartt's narrative. It shows development, which is realistic.
Boris is the healthier choice for Theo. He may also be involved with a lot of drugs and alcohol, but Theo and Boris share the bond of coping with their lives. More importantly, because of that bond, Boris actually cares for Theo, unlike his father. Caring is what he really needs now more than anything. Boris doesn't make Theo feel alone.
When Theo talked to Mr. B, I was kind of surprised. When the dad said that he wanted to start an account, I sort of thought something was up but if I was Theo I just wouldn't have gave my social security number to him, in the first place because that's dangerous. But I was taken aback when dad hit Theo. I get that his dad had told Boris what was up but the way he treated Theo, I felt like he wouldn't do that to his own kid. So overall, I wasn't too shocked with how everything played out but when it came to dad forcing Theo to call and his panicking, I was shocked. A question I have about the call is that if dad used credit in Theo's name, wouldn't the savings be used to take away the debt? If not then who pays for the debt?
Theo has an act for meeting helpful strangers because he's a young guy and is approachable. I'm surprised that the bus driver allowed him to stay on the bus but then again, he's already been on it for so long, what would be the point for kicking him off then? The cab driver was interesting because he gave Theo pointers about running away. The cab driver probably knew that something was wrong for Theo to be running away in the first place. These strangers were good for Theo because they're leading him to his destination of a better future. Without them, Theo would be even more lost and would've ended up in state care.
The scene with Mr. Bracegirdle really kind of highlights what dire straits Theo's dad is in. In his mad panic of self preservation he's kind of dropped any morals he had. He's also tried to get into Theo's bank account several times. Boris was closer to Theo than his dad ever was. Theo really did need him in Vegas, but he was a bad influence. They cared deeply for each other, but perhaps it was for the best that they parted ways.
I agree with Xandra that Theo is more like his father than he knows. In chapter 5, when his father offers him the champagne and anxiety medication, Theo takes it, despite knowing what his father was like for his whole life. If Theo had seen his father mope around drunk for his whole life, wouldn’t he want to try and do anything to be the opposite? Also, now that Theo is hanging around Boris, he has taken up smoking, drinking, swearing, and doing drugs. Earlier in the novel, Theo mentions that when his father came home on paydays drunk enough to fall asleep on the couch, Theo and his mother would leave before he could even wake up. They wanted nothing to do with the hungover, deadbeat man on their couch. Now, Theo is becoming that man, and hangs out with his father while watching him gamble.
I agree with much of what the others have said. Boris may be a bad influence, but his relationship with Theo is important. I still think, however, that Theo needs to develop a closer relationship with his father. They should try to create a bond and make up for lost time. As Theo and his father spend more time together their bond will grow. Every man needs a father figure. Boris is there, but he will never be able to be that father figure that Theo needs. As Theo and his father grow, their relationship will grow as well.
Theo starts to look at the painting more because he read an article that spoke of an art stealing ring that ended up in people receiving years in jail. He stole a famous painting himself and could possibly face the same sort of punishment. The painting itself means a lot to him because it is the last thing that he has that has a direct tie to his mother. It was his mom's favorite painting, and he has it in his possession to remind himself of such an influential person in his life. He's paranoid because of the possible punishment, but at the same time he also doesn't want it taken away from him.
From Theo's talk with Mr. Bracegirlde we learned that you could actually withdrawl money out of Theo's account. We learned that Mr. Bracegirdle had a very good relationship with Theo's mom. His mother didn't want his father to ever get any of Theo's money, and by trusting Theo's money with Mr. Bracegirdle, she was protecting Theo until the very end. This scence just renforces how untrustworthy Theo's father is. It shows that he is willing to sneak around and steal from anyone, even his own son.
I was not surprised by Theo's conversation with Mr. Bracegirdle. I knew his dad was up to no good and was extremely selfish. Throughout the book, his dad has only acted in his own benefit: abandoning Theo and his mom, making Theo move across the country, and leaving Theo on his own while he goes to gamble. The fact that he tried to use Theo to illegally get money to save himself fits perfectly with the rest of his actions. Theo learns how much his dad hasn't changed and how much he really doesn't care about him. Because his dad acts like this and is abusive to him, Boris is a better person for Theo to be around. They don't make the best decisions but at least they care about each other. He acts like a family member to Theo which is something he desperately needs after his mom dies.
Tartt's use of profane language is used perfectly in my opinion. In my experience as a teenage boy, she does not go over the top in her use of language in any way. Especially considering Theo's living environment with his father and the affect that Borris has on him. Theo's life has been filled with death and abandonment so his use of bad language is only natural. Plus, he is a teenage boy, who frequently cuss anyway. I think that if Tartt wouldn't have used the language that she did, then this novel would have lost much of it's realism. In fact, I admire Tartt because the way she used the language felt so smooth and natural within the story.
Theo is so protective of the painting because it was his mothers favorite. It was the last thing she had went to look at before the explosion happened. Theo had sat and listened to his mother talk about the way the painting made her feel and what it expressed. Its the one thing he has left of his mother and he is scared it can be taken away as easily as she was. He must protect it because to him its like protecting his own mother, which he missed the chance to do the day of the explosion. The only reason Boris was good for Theo was because he could relate to Theos life. They both were without a mother and had fathers who were not the best characters. I think that while it was good for Theo to have someone to relate to, Boris is still a bad influence.
Although Boris is a bad influence on Theo, he still has a better relationship with him than he does with his father. Boris introduces him to alcohol, and theo gives in because he doesn't have anyone telling him it's not okay. Boris is the only person Theo has and truly loves, and Boris genuinely cares about him. Theo's father provides him food and shelter, but is not there for him mentally. Boris is better for Theo than his own father is.
Chapter 6
If I were Tartt, and enrolling in taking your creative writing class I would defend my use of profanity by simply stating I used the language to get the point across. You can only describe someone’s point so far before getting explicit to really show how bad something has become and the maturity behind it. The purpose of Tartts language so far in the novel is to show how much Theo has had to mature and grow up between him living with his mother to his move to Las Vegas. Theo did not have a father figure growing up that gave Theo any type of respect or advice as a kid. The use of the language in my point of view is needed to describe the point of how a thirteen year old has had to mature so much over such a short period of time. As the reader, the language really made me see how much Theo has had to mature. The language, for me, really got the point across for Theo and reflected the novel on to the real world where almost anything now a days has explicit language. Theo and Boris’s language towards each other can be seen as how teenagers talk to each other in the real world. The use of the explicit language can be seen as a sense of freedom for today’s society as well as for Theo and Boris. I support Tartts use of the language and can see how it tied into the novel as well as for the real world.
I do agree with Xandra that Theo's personality resembles his fathers more than he might know. The first way I think that this is true is that both Theo and his father are compulsive drinkers, they both love to drink until they fall over. The second reason I believe this to be the case is that both of them tend to just run away from their problems. Theo’s father does this with Mr. Silver, and Theo runs back to New York after his father dies. Lately I think that they are similar because both Theo and his father are nice, kind, and respectful people when they are sober, but when they are under the influence they both become mean and vulgar.
The author males Theo's feelings seem like he didn't really care that his dad died. He didn't get enough time to care about his dad and eventually love him. He cared more for Boris because he was actually there for theo. Even though he was a bad influence on theo, he was still a very good friend and he was someone theo could really trust since his mom died. I can't really decide if it was a good or bad decision to leave Boris. On one hand, theo can move on and maybe make some new friends. On the other hand, he probably won't find another friend like Boris.
The author males Theo's feelings seem like he didn't really care that his dad died. He didn't get enough time to care about his dad and eventually love him. He cared more for Boris because he was actually there for theo. Even though he was a bad influence on theo, he was still a very good friend and he was someone theo could really trust since his mom died. I can't really decide if it was a good or bad decision to leave Boris. On one hand, theo can move on and maybe make some new friends. On the other hand, he probably won't find another friend like Boris.
I am not surprised by the information we learn from Theo's conversation with Bracegirdle. Throughout the novel, Theo's father proves to be a bad influence on Theo and shows how he is abusive and uncaring. Boris is a better friend to Theo, even with the drugs and alcohol, because he finally has someone to confide in.
The painting is the biggest secret in Theo's life. Theo hasn't shared that he had it with anyone, not even Boris. This is significant. The painting is something so personal that Theo can't bring himself to show anyone, not even himself for long periods of time. I think the painting is representative of his real emotions. He drowns emotions out with drugs when Boris is around and shields himself from feeling around his father. The only time Theo can deal with the remainder of his hurt in a real way is when he can be alone with his biggest secret. He doesn't want to deal with it permanently at this point, so he wraps it back up quickly an puts it back, then goes about his regular routine.
With the first situation involving Mr. Silver Theo should be concerned because Mr. Silver is obviously inquiring about missing assets that Theo's father is responsible. Mr. Silver seems like the kind of guy who doesn't deal well with any amount of financial loss with his associates. This should raise some concern with Theo as his father's life could be in danger for this reason. Regarding Theo looking at the painting relentlessly, he has grown attached to the painting because it was last thing he saw before his mother's death in the museum. Also, the painting was involved in his first meeting with Welty. Many situations involved this painting, because of this he grows more paranoid because of the dangerous situations occurring in his Las Vegas home. Theo is more concerned with the loss of Boris more because his father really meant nothing to him. He walked out on them, and wasn't really a father for Theo regardless of the new situation. Theo's father threatened him near the end of his life which showed he was more worried about himself than others. It's better that he left Boris behind because if they would've stayed together they would have both been in a comatose under some bridge most of the time. As is was, they both were practically starving inside a home, they wouldn't have lasted much longer on the street together. Yes, I think it was better that it happened.
I think that Theo's relationship with Boris is healthier than his relationship with his father. Boris led him to alcohol and drugs but their relationship is real. It's genuine and his relationship with his father has more to do with his father wanting money, than his father actually loving him. Boris cares for Theo their relationship is much needed for Theo. The loneliness of his mother's death was slightly numbed with Boris's friendship. Not just from all the drugs and alcohol but with true, genuine friendship. Almost any relationship is greater when the two people in it actually care for each other. Theo and Boris both care for each other while Theo's father doesn't seem to care much for him.
I believe Theo has become paranoid about the painting. He is over-protective because he has found himself in a pattern in his life where things that mean a great deal to him are taken away. This painting is more than just a treasure, it's one of the last connections he has to his mother. It's her favorite painting and seems to have travelled with her throughout her life even to her death. He may see the painting as a representation of his mother, and so has become very paranoid about harm coming to it. It does not help that he can infer from the conversations that his father is in debt. Theo understands the painting is worth a large sum of money, and, despite Boris's claims, he knows his fathers true tendencies. Having the painting stolen from him by his father seems like more of a possibility than Theo is comfortable with. Which is why its safety has become one of Theo's main priorities.
Boris nor Theo's father are a healthy relationship in all reality. Boris led him to alcohol and drugs but his father doesn't rally care for him. But to pick which is better I'd have to say Boris because she cares. She knows what Theo is going through because she's also going through it. Their relationship is real unlike Theo and his father which just seems fake. At least with Boris he can know what genuine company is.
I think Theo regrets his loss of Boris because Boris was a true friend while Theo's father didn't truly care for him. His father just wanted him for the money that Theo could bring him. Boris and Theo shared a true bond. Especially toward the end of Theo's father's life, he was terrible to Theo. He made it very clear that he wanted Theo for money purposes. So when he died, it makes sense that Theo wouldn't mourn his father as much as Boris.
I believe that Tartt demonstrated the importance of swearing by using it as a demonstrator of how Theo's life was changing and how it was going downhill. As he was thrown more and more into a slump of alcohol, bar food, and hangovers, the amount of swearing grew. It also shows Theo's mindset during this period of time, which was angry and sad the majority of the time. When Theo talked to Mr. Bracegirdle, I wasn't surprised at all. I had predicted earlier in the book that Theo's father had an ulterior motive, and this was just the confirmation of it. Using Theo to get money after the death of someone so important in his life is despicable and disgusting, and there is no question that Theo was better off without this man in his life.
Although I do not find an excessive amount of profane language enjoyable to read in a story, I do think it was acceptable for Tartt to have put lots of coursing into that section of the book because that is an accurate representation of how boys Theo and Boris’s age would speak to each other. Also I believe that the language Theo had adopted during his time in LA was to show the kind of person he was becoming, which was the complete opposite of what he used to be at the beginning of the book. Most of this was the fault the people he was around the most, which was Xandera, his father, and of course Boris.
In the beginning it had seemed that Theo’s father was trying to turn over a new leaf in his “new life” in LA by calming to quit drinking completely and seeming to put effort into being a better father for Theo, this impressed and made Theo believe that he really had changed, that is until he found out that his father only really wanted him for his money and was willing to use force to get Theo to do what he wanted. Boris, however, had been there for Theo since the very beginning, so it’s not very shocking that Theo would miss the person who spent time and looked out for him more than the one who tried to steal money out of his bank account.
Even though Boris was the best friend Theo had ever had, I still think it was good that he didn’t go back to New York with Theo, because even though they were friends eventually Boris would have gotten Theo into trouble due to his bad habits such as drinking, doing drugs, and shoplifting. Without Boris Theo will be able to break those habits and start to turn his life around.
Tartt doesn't use profane language just for the heck of it, he uses it to more distinctly show the changes Theo is going through. When Theo''s mother first dies he is sure to be respectful to everyone he meets just in case she is watching. He wanted to be the little boy his mother raised him to be. After the move, he stopped seeing things every day that were familiar to him like the apartment or the sidewalk his mom would take to get on the bus. When he moves to vegas he basically gives up everything he has ever known along with his every day vernacular. This is also to show Theo growing up from an innocent little boy who lost his mother to a lost teen losing his innocence.
Boris and Theo's father have a lot in common concerning Theo: They both hit Theo, do drugs, drink, and are a bad influence. However, I think it's safe to say that Theo's father is a better influence. Boris hits and pressures Theo into doing things that are obviously wrong. I do believe that Boris cares about Theo in his own screwed up way but Boris would never force him into doing something. Theo has his first real doubts about his dad when his dad forces him to talk to the lawyer because his anger and terrible traits were out in the open. This is actually more safe for Theo because the violence is easier to see. With Boris, they play it off as if it were a joke or something and move on. This is dangerous for Theo because he doesn't really stop to question Boris' morality because it's not as obvious.
Why do you think Theo keeps getting the painting out and looking at it...then wrapping it back up and putting it back? Why is he suddenly more paranoid about its safety?
Theo keeps looking at the painting because it's the last memory he has of his mother. He knows how much she loved it so he likes to see the painting to feel the connection of her again. I think he gets more paranoid about it because of that day his class was in the library. In the newspaper back in New York the painting was said to be destroyed in the bombing while the online article Theo read while on the computer said it was "missing". These two words have very different meanings, mostly because if something is missing someone is also looking for it.
I fully believe that Mr. Silver's visit should give anxiety and not be brushed off. Theo's father probably brushed it off because he was so deep in his gambling addiction he didn't realize the true problem at hand. The problem with Mr. Silver coming around is that it could escalade and then even start to affect Theo. There should've definitely been a lot of concern considering the fact that Theo's dad owed money and Mr. Silver was eventually going to get it one way or another.
I'm not surprised at all that Theo's father tried to get him to transfer money into his own personal account. I am however surprised that Bracegirdle may have known that Theo's father was trying to manipulate Theo. What I learned about Theo's father is what everyone thinks he is. Not one person really trusted him and it was easy for people to pick upon his fathers manipulation, even if they were miles away. I also learned that Theo's father never really changed, and I also wondered if he ever actually wanted Theo, or if he just wanted access to his money. It was interesting to find out that his mother predicted what his father would try to do, an did everything in her power to prevent it.
I find it really depressing that when you really look at the situation, neither Boris or His father are helpful or suitable guardians. When Theos father tries to get him to transfer money into his name, I'm hardly moved. From the beginning it is obvious that something is not right with him. I hope for Theos sake that he and his father try to bond and create a relationship. Even though Boris did introduce Theo into drugs and alcohol, he truly does care for him and feel for him when it comes to what he's going through.
To a certain extend I do disagree with Xandra, but I also do agree. It seems as if Theo did start drinking quite easily as well as often. It was very easy for him to slip into the habit of drinking on a daily basis. In this sense he is like his father. His dad is most clearly an addict of drugs and alcohol. But Theo is also a lot like his mother who was quite the opposite of an addict of any sort.
It is only natural for theo to experience some sort of anxiety with the visit of Mr Silver. It is very clear that Theo doesn't understand the motives of Mr Silvers visit. Later when he explains the experience to Boris, he clearly understand the seriousness of the situation. Theo already feels as if he doesn't exist, or he doesn't matter when living with his dad and Xandra. When Mr Silver appears to the door, talking about things that Theo doesn't completely understand, he most likely feels even more left in the dark and anxious.
Picking between Theo's father and Boris is much like picking between two politicians. Choosing the lesser of the two evils, neither of them would be a better. His father makes him deal with Bobo Silver several times causing him severe anxiety. Now with Boris he learns many destructive habits. He does countless drugs with him and becomes an alcoholic. I would choose Boris because he had someone to share experiences with and connected with.
The painting is like a holy Icon for mainly one reason. It seems to accompany him through all the hardships that Theo has unfortunately experienced. When the bomb went off In the museum, he awoke and found the painting. From that moment I believe that the painting served as the only unshakable cornerstone in his life. From the move all the way to vegas, and his fathers death, and all the way back to New York, it has been the only thing that has remained apart of his life.
It seems as if theo is growing more and more paranoid the more he comes across news of the missing paintings. He feels the need to keep checking it for many reasons. Such as, ensuring that the painting isn't damaged in anyway. Another one being that he simply feels the urge to enjoy the colour and sight of the painting itself. Theo feels like a custodian of the painting. But he is in a constant worry about how he is going to return the painting without receiving any consequences. or getting blamed for the theft of the painting.
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