This story tells of a couple who are mentally preparing to...get intimate. The story begins in the mind of the woman who is anxious of the night that awaits her. Will it be enjoyable? On the other side, the male figure begins to wonder the same thing. The story is told though the thoughts of the couple as well as various objects around the house. For example, the cat is angry that he is locked outside in the cold and is done with the whole country. The TV is angry that he has been left on with no viewers. The door is confused about why he is locked, but hopes the relationship between the man and woman ends well.
While I could not personally connect with this story, I really liked it. However, I can connect with the small part of the story when the couple leaves the TV on, because I often just use my TV at hope as background noise. I hope the TV does not get offended as this one did. It personified the objects of the house which added humour to the story. I would recommend it to anyone interested.
The author is reflecting on the different groups in Israeli society. I think the boy could represent a plot of land something the higher-class Israeli's dealt with because if the object (or man) is lousy, well at least they have the object (or man), but if it is good, then that is even better and works out in their favour. The girl may represent the hope and success of the Israeli army or government: if they have done this much, it seems as though they can continue their streak, otherwise they will go back to having minimal land, which is still better than the alternative of no land. The TV may represent Jews from a certain area that feel as though they are not accurately represented or heard in society; while they are still there and alive, no one pays attention or listens. The cat could represent someone who made aliyah and may regret it. The country they came from may have been "warmer" and something they were used to, while this new land is cold and unfamiliar and shutting them out.
This can be viewed as Israeli literature because the symbolism really reflects the aspects of society at the time. The story makes a statement while adding in humorous aspects.
I think Celias point of view pertaining to the personification of household items and how they represent different Jews from different sects of Judaism is fascinating. It's cool to be able to make the connection between things in our every day lives that may not be as important or necessary to other people. Just as Orthodox Jews values change slightly from Conservative Jews and even more so from reform Jews.
ReplyDeleteI think the couple together may represent Be Gurion. Like Celia said, the boy and girl represent the different aspects of the Israeli government. I think the objects in the house may represent the physical land of Israel. It shows how much the land was taken into account when building the state of Israel. Ben Gurion worked to give attention to the stubborn lands of the Negev, while setting up the Political state of Israel.
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