Part One, Other thoughts...

Here are some other things I (Katy) have been thinking about part 1 and was interested in discussing:

A) Pg. 5 “For he was one of those born in the phenomenon of strength. He’d always had it, from the beginning and each year it increased”.
- In this case the author is discussing Fidelis’ physical strength. But does this statement hold true for emotional strength also (not just Fidelis’)? Are we born with emotional strength or do we develop it over a lifetime? Why are some ‘stronger’ than others?
- In what ways do other characters in the novel exhibit strength (for example, Eva, Delphine, Markus, Cyprian)?

B) Pg. 85 “Who are you, is a question with a long answer or a short answer”.
- What are some of the elements that make up identity?
- What are your answers?
- How is your identity influenced by those around you, the culture you live in, or your own ideas about who you are?

C) Pg. 107 “Since she’d known Eva Waldvogel, and also traveled here and there with Cyprian, she had started to understand how a woman’s attention could succeed in making sense of a man’s blind chaos and yet women needed their own wildness”.

I absolutely loved the image Erdrich paints here. I think many men become better organized, shaven and fed once a woman enters their life. Of course, relationships also work both ways and men influence, encourage and grow their partners in other ways too. I found myself wanting ask all of you:
- Is Erdrich’s statement true? Is it applicable in your own relationship (marriage)? Do you make sense of, control or ease your man’s chaos (sorry Gretch)?
- What is your wildness?

I would like to think it is true that Craig is neater in his dress, more organized in his tasks, and soothed by my encouragements. His house is cleaner, very tidy and his drawers no longer contain wadded up clothing (although piles of them still emerge on the floor here and there sometimes). His dreams are supported and together we are working to achieve his goals. Of course, when Craig laughs at my constant worrying, my obsessive-ness and my attempts at perfection, I am also a calmer, better person.

My wildness is an interesting question…I don’t even think I have ever thought about this…maybe my “itchy” feet. I love to always be poking my nose in something unknown, sometimes literally, and trying to figure out what it is and everything I can know about it. I adore going new places, sitting back and watching life occur. I thrive on constant learning and seeking. But, I know my husband wishes I would ‘calm down’ a bit and ‘settle’ more, be more interested in creating our home, rather than planning my next trip abroad. I also can go a bit 'wild' at the mall, if I don’t control myself.

D) Pg. 53: Who looked up “syzygy”? What does it mean?

I did and I could tell you but I am wondering if anyone else did? OCD…

E) Pg. 169 “It was a routine, she later thought, she didn’t treasure enough. An even life, without any jumps or starts. No stalls either. It was the kind of life you didn’t know at the time you were living it was a happy life”.

Again she is crafting beautiful sentences (but obnoxiously alluding to things rather than just getting on with it!)…I want to ask:
- Have you ever had this experience or feeling?
- What did you learn from it?

That's all. Love.