Hmm…
I didn’t really know what to think when I finished this book. The chapters leading up to the end betrayed the character of Myra, because things that Myra was completely against became things that Myra wanted in life. For example when Myra says the lines in Chapter 37 about needing to protect Mary-Ann and herself until a man came along that she could marry. This idea is not one that Myra liked throughout the novel to this point. In fact Myra, Mary-Ann, and Rusty all have a conversation about the traditional, societal view of what people are supposed to do in life, which is to marry and procreate. Rusty and Mary-Ann believe that this is what they want until Myra steps in and undermines their relationship and view of the world and sexuality. Myra gives them a whole political overview of the world’s overpopulation problem and how their are people in other countries that are literally starving to death because there isn’t enough food to feed all of the people in a specific area. Myra also provides insights into other cultural views on what makes a gender.
This novel had so much to do with Literary Theory that sometimes, it even used the same language. I cannot remember who the writer was, (maybe Baudrillard) during the scene with Letitia and Rusty getting caught in the act by Mary-Ann and Myra, Myra says that Letitia simulated anger. The word “simulation” is taken directly from Baudrillard’s writing. Also when Montag and Myra are talking together, Myra mentions how Montag’s projection of his emotions may be misread by Myra because the only way that she would know what Montag is feeling is if he directly tells her, but maybe not even then.
I want to discuss, a little, the ending of this novel when Myra becomes Myron again and Myron and Mary-Ann pretty much live happily ever after. This ending was disappointing, but left me with a question: What happens when Mary-Ann finds out that Myra did all of these terrible things to Rusty and basically planned the demise of Mary-Ann and Rusty’s relationship? Even though, technically this question may not matter because Myron makes Mary-Ann happy, its just strange how nothing is really cleared up. Myra becomes Myron again, but for what reason? Is it because all Myra ends up caring about is making Mary-Ann happy? Or is it because Myra no longer wants to be a woman that no man shall possess? But it couldn’t be that, because she only wants Mary-Ann at this point… I don’t know. Why would Vidal make Myron become Myra only to become Myron again? What point is he trying to make there? After Myra rapes Rusty has she accomplished her goal of exerting her power over masculinity and avenged Myron and that is why she can then become Myron again? I guess I don’t totally understand the point of it all.
I definitely think that this novel makes the reader think about many topics at the same time, which may be why I’m having some trouble getting a hold on all of it. One thing is for sure, this book could definitely be read in a Literary Theory class! Anyway, I would like to understand Vidal’s main point in this novel, and if there even is a main point.
