Page 26:
“From the way Julie and Mr.
Patimkin were laughing now, out on the court, no problem could ever have seemed
less universal; but, of course, it was universal for Brenda, a battle with her
mother, and her life, which, I was certain, consisted to a large part of cornering
the market on fabrics that felt soft to the skin, took on the quality of a
Hundred Years’ War…”
At this point in the book Brenda
and Neil are sitting beneath a tree in the backyard observing Brenda’s father
and sister play basketball as Brenda describes her relationship with her
parents to Neil. This passage expounds on Neil’s thoughts on Brenda’s
overarching conclusion with regards to her parents and life. Here, a clear
division in socioeconomic class between Brenda and Neil is present, brought to
the reader by the judgment passed by Neil. In his mind, and to this point
seemingly correctly so, Brenda has the air of an arrogant, aloof, spoiled girl who’s
biggest problems in life are issues that are not only insignificant, but
unobtainable for individuals in a lower bracket of wealth. In this specific
instance, clothing is the subject of his ire, clothes that he not only cares
nothing for, but also could not afford. Going along with this, Neil seems to
see the divide this superficial issue causes between Brenda and her mother, a
divide that Brenda claims is ‘universally’ understood, as a pointless divide
and one that only certain type of rich, snob would conjure up in their mind.
This issue continues in the chapter as Neil begins to consciously keep his
mouth shut on the topic of wealth and they way Brenda thinks of herself, hoping
to not cause a divide between them.
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