Response #1 "normal paternal zeal"

65: thinks of her body (again)...

"normal paternal zeal" - comic juxtaposition between normal and deviant

       The nameless protagonist, often referred to as "The man", repeatedly rationalizes his behavior by assuming a father figure. After all in his eyes his late wife had given him the responsibility of raising the young girl as his own daughter. On page 47 the man justifies his actions to himself, "... although what could be more natural than bringing home my little stepdaughter, deciding on it after all—they're cutting open her mother, aren't they?" Throughout the entire novel his internal conflict, between acting on his predatory impulses and being utterly disgusted with himself, dictates his actions.

       His most convincing justifications lay within the "normal paternal zeal". The juxtaposition between normal and deviant also reflect his state of mind, his psyche is split into predator and a sick helpless man. The man utilizes his normal stepfather responsibilities to complete his steps towards his goal of fondling the little girl. He must continue lying to himself to allow himself to carry out his next move towards his endgame without his conscious flooding his mind with disgust.

       This juxtaposition is the chess game embedded in his mind, the normal half of him is the white side of the board, while his deviant self is the black half of the board. It seems for every action, influenced by the black team, moving toward his endgame, for example, marrying the widow, is accompanied by a mirrored move by the white team, i.e. bringing the widow happiness in her final days. I find this juxtaposition has me rooting for him when his guilt dominates his actions and we see him for what he really is, a helpless man powerless over this mental illness. However, while he is lost in his self deception I find myself wishing him ill.