Audre Lorde’s quote, For in order to survive, those of us for whom oppression is as american as apple pie have always had to be watchers, to become familiar with the language and manners of the oppressor, even sometimes adopting them for some illusions of protection”(114), means that individuals who are looked down upon because they don’t “fit in the box”, or are seen as different become accustomed to their lifestyle and ;therefore, they accept their life for what it is. However, some choose to mirror after or emulate the behaviors of other individuals who are seen as conventional or normal in order to live and function in society without being an outcast,thereby attempting to survive.
In Giovanni’s Room, David does exactly this in many ways. In order for him to survive and make it in society and not dissapoint his father, he pretends to act like a heterosexual man, because he feels being gay isn’t acceptable. For example, after sleeping with Joey, he decides that he can’t be gay, so he makes up a lie about having a girlfriend, starts acting tough like the other kids and joins in on bullying Joey once school started back up. He also begins a relationship with Hella, and tells her he loves her and asks to marry her. ” I told her that I had loved her once and I made myself believe it. But I woander if I had” (5). He was pretending to be something he wasn’t and was failing at it because he wasn’t even convincing himself. David also picked up women at the Montparnasse, in an attempt to try and be a straight man.
I think that David believed at one point that if he acted and pretended to be straight that it would eventually become the truth. he didn’t want to face the reality and possible repercussions of being gay so he tried to “fit in the box”, but that didn’t work, and so far that decision seems to have lead him down a bad road.
I completely agree. That quote perfectly explains how david feels as well as his actions. David constantly has this fight within himself of what he “needs to do” and what “he feels like doing”.
David tried so hard to stay straight but it’s impossible. In my opinion, I feel, David is more attracted to male because of his father. After his mother’s death, David’s father did not show any love affection, such as care or concern. No matter how hard that David tried to catch his father’s attention, he failed at it. So, in order to fill in that gap he tend to fall in love quickly with man.
Jenny, I see the beginning of your essay topic here! 🙂 Keep thinking about your argument and be sure to take lots of notes as you read the rest of the book. Every time you see something that supports your claim, write it down!
Very nicely put, Shashe (also I see that this is your original post, so ignore my other comment :)). I especially like your statement, “some choose to mirror after or emulate the behaviors of other individuals who are seen as conventional or normal in order to live and function in society without being an outcast,thereby attempting to survive.” This impulse really explains David’s motivations at times.