Chapter 3 Overview
Chapter 3 continues to describe Dave and Toph's life in San Francisco. It describes their search for a new place to live, as they have decided to live on their own, without Beth (sister), Kirsten (Dave's girlfriend) and Katie (a friend) (p.73)
They eventually find a place and Dave can pay for it for a whole year. Dave reminisces about his parents and money (p.76). There is detailed description of the house they are in (p.78) and there is a focus on the chaotic life they leave. They are messy, late for everything (p92/93), muddle through with cooking (p.86) and cleaning. They continue to play games, have fun, be rude to each other (p.81/82)
There is also a focus on relationships. We get an insight into how Beth and Dave are dealing with the situation they are in in different ways (p.88) and also a hint of the role that Bill has in the family (p.77) Dave imagines relationships with women and there is a sense of him being conflicted about wanting someone to be settled with someone to provide stability for Toph and wanting have the freedom to date and flirt, like any man in their early twenties would(p.74/75 & p.98) .
Throughout the chapter we get a sense of what their family life is really like and the paranoia Dave feels about his situation with regards to taking responsibility for Toph and what others must be thinking about him (p.102/103). We continue to get an insight into the conflict Dave feels about being a brother and a parent to Toph and the fact that he isn't a parent and that it is all pretend (p.83 & 90).
Task One
The structure and discourse of this chapter is really interesting. Eggers continues to play around with the form of his writing, creating a very idiosyncratic style of narrative. He continues to push the boundaries of what narrative writing is.
Looking through the chapter, what different techniques has Eggers used to create his idiosyncratic style? If you would like some ideas, click here! Why has he used certain techniques? How do they link to his character and situation?
Task Two
Using the summary above, find 8 key quotations / specific references that support ideas about the relationships and the way Dave and Toph are living their lives. You will find evidence on the pages identified. What effect do they have on the reader? What are we supposed to think and feel? What is Eggers trying to tell us?
EXT / Challenge Task instead of Task 2
Write an analytical response on how Eggers presents relationships in Chapter 3. Integrate evidence from the text, and explore using appropriate terminology. You should be able to comment on the structure and discourse, as well as some of the specific language features used.
Post all work on your blog / padlet page.
Have fun!!
Nina
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