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Post by jarelyrebollar on Jul 18, 2024 19:41:52 GMT
I read a bit of the novel and can sense a sort of meaninglessness within the theme of the story. The story presents a world where traditional structures of meaning (such as family, career, and relationships) have broken down. Maria's life appears devoid of purpose, echoing the existential belief in the inherent meaninglessness of life.
I wonder what y'all might think of this.
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Post by shelbygraham on Jul 18, 2024 21:10:55 GMT
This makes me think of a quote from chapter 6 referring to Maria's and Carter's crumbling relationship:
"Whatever he began by saying he would end by saying. He would say something and before either of them knew it they would be playing out a dialogue so familiar that is drained the imagination, blocked the will, allowed them to drop words and whole sentences and still arrive at the cold conclusion."
This quote, reflecting their relationship, makes me wonder if their relationship ever had any meaning or was it all just surface level. This recurring conversation between Maria and Carter became routine and monotonous. And I think that is how Maria feels about her life. She feels worn out by the Hollywood lifestyle and its "meaninglessness."
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Post by Dr. Nemmers on Jul 19, 2024 15:14:59 GMT
Definitely agree here, Jarely. To me, the word you're getting at is "disillusionment," which implies that Maria was previously under the spell of some illusion(s). You mention family, career, and relationships, and I think those are all areas in which people can get caught up in grand narratives about what life could or should look like-- they have fantasies about how perfect everything will be and go.
Suffice it to say that Maria has been disabused of those fantasies: in her marriage, in her motherhood, and in her career. The question, then, is how you live your life once all that you once believed in has been taken away. In a way it's the same question as "god is dead"--and the same issue that Antonio was struggling with in the last novel. You're right that we see these belief structures crumbling, and that Maria is going to have to find some source of meaning in her life, otherwise this is trending very poorly...
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Post by jarelyrebollar on Jul 22, 2024 18:26:11 GMT
You both highlight critical aspects of Maria's struggle. The repetitive, monotonous dialogue between Maria and Carter, as described in Chapter 6, reflects the superficiality and lack of genuine connection in their relationship. This routine interaction mirrors Maria's broader feelings of meaninglessness in her Hollywood lifestyle, characterized by fleeting success and a focus on appearances.
Moreover, "disillusionment" aptly captures Maria's experience. Initially, she believed her family, career, and relationships could provide fulfillment. However, as these illusions crumble, Maria faces an existential crisis similar to Nietzsche's "god is dead" proclamation. The loss of these beliefs forces her to confront a void of meaning, compelling her to seek new sources of significance. Her journey reflects the broader existential theme of finding or creating personal meaning in the absence of grand narratives or fantasies. This challenge is central to the novel, as Maria navigates her disillusionment and strives for a more profound sense of purpose.
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