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Swann's Way: Overture

Decent Essays

After reading the two text Swann’s Way: Overture by Marcel Proust and The Invention of Morel by Casares, readers see many similarities between the two plot. In the chapter Overture Proust have strange obsession toward a goodnight kiss from his mother. The whole chapter describe his urge for mother to come and tuck him into bed so he can earn a goodnight kiss from her. Whereas, in the story The Invention of Morel talk about a man who is fell in love with an image of Faustine on the island. Similarly, both text portray the men's obsession for women’s affection. Likewise, Young Marcel’s obsession for mother’s goodnight kiss seem a little too extreme for some readers whereas, for others it is understandable. Of those readers who believe that his request for mother’s affections may also perceive the story as young Marcel having incestual feelings towards his mother. However, readers can not make conclusion on such thought about Marcel, since Proust purposely hid his age from his audience. Therefore, readers can not make such claim on Marcel’s action in order to make judgment about his request. In addition, Proust left his readers questioning his obsession for the his mother’s to tuck him in bed and to give him a goodnight kiss. Due to the unknown age, readers suspect that perhaps Proust is just 6 years old versus a teenage boy. For instinct if, he were to be under 10 years old, the situation is sympathetic and understandable. Whereas, if he were to be a teenage boy then that is considered clingy. Much like his father had mentioned how he need to grow up and become a man instead of clinging onto his mother for a goodnight kiss like a little boy. Inspecting, from the way Proust describe his feelings and urge for a goodnight kiss from mother may have mislead some readers to believe that he have incestous feelings toward his mom. Proust describe his feelings as, “to say to her ‘Kiss me just once again,’ but I knew that then she would at once look displeased, for the concession which she made to my wretchedness and agitation in coming up to me with this kiss of peace always annoyed my father, who thought such ceremonies absurd, and she would have liked to try to induce me to outgrow the need, the custom of having her

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