"Why did he always recur to the subject of money? 'I shall allow nothing to come in my way;' he once said that as if meaning, 'certainly not a love affair with a girl who is penniless.' ... But it only meant that he would not be in haste to declare himself. Of a certainty there was conflict between his ambition and his love, but she recognised her power over him and exulted in it."
The one wrinkle in Marian's joyful infatuation with Jasper. She can only stay optimistic by believing that her charms and Jasper's unflagging confidence in himself will overcome his more practical considerations. This hopeful and positive outlook is a new thing for her. But what does this cloud over her bliss foreshadow?
Jasper's proclamation left me pondering: “I am rather despicable, you know; it's part of my business to be so. But a friend needn’t regard that. There is a man apart from his necessities.” Somehow, such hubris (confidence?) is considered appealing; indeed (for many – even today) it is the epitome of masculinity. Imagine the response if “woman” was inserted as an alternative for “man” here! “Jezebel,” comes to mind.
"I got up at 7:30, and whilst I breakfasted I read through a volume I had to review. By 1030 the review was written..." So I had the same morning as Jasper!! ;)
Gissing is whipping up the care for Marian's happiness, highlighting her "sensitiveness" ("difficulties which are small account to people who take their part in active social life, harassed her to the destruction of all peace.") and her wishful and somewhat balanced assessment of her hopes for Jasper's love ("he was as far as possible from representing the lover of her imagination" / "...she recognized her power over him and exulted in it.")
At the end of the chapter I was concerned by a line that might lead her into Amy's current existence - "he must choose her in her poverty, and be content with what his talents could earn for him."
For Jasper's part he was at his self-centered, self-deprecating, and jocular best.
I like him too, rather in spite of myself, but I'm worried for Marian. If extrication from this growing attachment is necessary, Jasper will suffer less. Having never read this before, I wonder what Gissing will do with these two. I don't see Jasper deviating from his course or getting swept away. But Marian has some talents that might add to a household's income. Hmm.
I too am worried for Marian, and left wondering what Gissing will do with them. I am all for love - and passion - but was hoping that Marian might discover the power of her voice and embrace "writing [as] a worthwhile pursuit" in which she finds "the joy one gets out of putting words together." A bit of independence might actually foster the "ray of dazzling sunshine" she seeks, and facilitate another form of "power" in which she might "exult."
I too thought of Edwin and Amy when Marian was reflecting. Jasper and Marian are very different people, but it might just lead to a different brand of marital unhappiness. Jasper is not the sort to content himself with anything. He has to be scheming and moving forward, fighting, as he puts it, for the good things in life. Marian, I think, would try to support him as she has her father, but she can be tried beyond endurance, as we are seeing.
There’s some overlap between Dorothea Brooks and Marian Yule. They both have complex love for men of letters but don’t see their own complicity in that love. The ‘graph which we the reader gets of her mind beginning: “He was so human...A taint of pedantry would have repelled her. She did not ask for high intellect or great attainments...her ideal would not have been a literary man at all...But in Jasper she saw the qualities that attracted her...ideal personages do not descend to girls who have to labour at the British Museum”. There’s a blurring of her desires with that of what she thinks she wants. It seems that we don’t always expect the origins of our love.
We finally see a little romance in NGS with nice elements: communication, caring, challenges. Jasper: “But your friendship is valuable. If I am sure of it, I shall be at all events within sight of better ideals.” These lines remind me of Nikolai thinking about Princess Marya in W&P. His good instincts draw him to a woman of sensitivity. And we know that turned out well. Too bad Marion doesn’t have have Marya’s pot of money, but there may be other solutions.
While it would be lovely for some form of healthy romance to develop, I had a more cynical perspective on these lines: “I shall go on as I have begun, and fight for some of the good things in life. But your friendship is valuable. If I am sure of it, I shall be at all events within sight of the better ideals.” Rather than owning/taking full responsibility for his actions, Jasper implicitly shifts responsibility to Marian; if she will stand by him [in friendship?] he will become a better person who embodies “better ideals” that transcend pure monetary worth. If she does not unconditionally offer her friendship, somehow she becomes responsible for his “lost potential?" No pressure?!
I too felt some apprehension reading that. I think he's sincere, but at the same time, it seems manipulative and in any case makes her the moral exemplar. She might want to fight for some of the good things in life too.
“A youth of all but monastic seclusion had prepared her to love the man who aimed with frank energy at the joys of life”. I think Marian’s lonely life at home makes her see Jasper through rose colored glasses. Its like dating the bad boy in school. Will he be there for her? Will he be committed to her? He already said he won’t let anything get in his way from making money and that he can be despicable. I could just be a cynic but I don’t think this looks promising.
One of Yiyun’s quotes struck me as well: “And what’s the value of it all?” asked Maud.
The last chapter of book 1 ends with mention of two Diogenes (I love the Cynic one, with the barrel and the lantern) and with questions: how does one live and what is an honest living? The first chapters of volume two now move the questions of character forward with explicitness. Marian seems to be gaining ability to read her father's and Jasper's weaknesses in this regard. Her entire assessment of Jasper is one of "character."
This odd, physical description of Jasper also adds: “I don’t know that my friendship is worth much,” Jasper continued, talking into the upper air, a habit of his when he discussed his own character. “I shall go on as I have begun, and fight for some of the good things of life. But your friendship is valuable. If I am sure of it, I shall be at all events within sight of the better ideals.”
Why talk in the "upper air" when discussing one's own character? Is he lying? Suddenly telling the truth? The value of writing, the value of friendship...the study of character, questions of friendship & ideals. The underlying philosophical tone is both irritating and intriguing.
I am struck again and again in this book at the loneliness and solitude of the characters. Reardon works for years without friends. Marian has none until Dora and Maud arrive. Amy rejects Edith and so isolates herself. Jasper knows everyone but seems close to almost no one. (No wonder he is tempted by Marian.) Alfred Yule has buddies he can be bitter with, but that just leads to an especially miserable kind of hangover.
Jasper does speak to raise hopes, I think, especially in his farewell. "Dull, by no means, but sage and sober and reticent--and exactly what I like in my friend because it contrasts with my own habits. All the better that merriment lies below it." He seems to be articulating what he wants in a partner. At the same time, this explains his attraction to Reardon, a VERY sober fellow, though not without a certain merriment (as we see with Biffen), albeit increasingly throttled.
"But with what rapturous tumult of the heart she could abandon herself to a belief in human virtues when their suggestion seemed to promise her a future of happiness." Abandon herself, indeed. This infatuation makes me nervous. Jasper doesn't have to do much to encourage it, and she is so lonely.
Loneliness and solitude. Rapturous tumult of the heart. You beautifully - and poignantly - capture the soul of this book, which is "dull, by no means!"
Thank you! I didn't know what to expect going into this novel, but I am moved by it. These people are complicated and compelling--"exactly what I like" in a book. :)
Jasper: “I am rather despicable, you know; it’s part of my business to be so. But a friend needn’t regard that. There is the man apart from his necessities.” Is there a separate Jasper?
"Why did he always recur to the subject of money? 'I shall allow nothing to come in my way;' he once said that as if meaning, 'certainly not a love affair with a girl who is penniless.' ... But it only meant that he would not be in haste to declare himself. Of a certainty there was conflict between his ambition and his love, but she recognised her power over him and exulted in it."
The one wrinkle in Marian's joyful infatuation with Jasper. She can only stay optimistic by believing that her charms and Jasper's unflagging confidence in himself will overcome his more practical considerations. This hopeful and positive outlook is a new thing for her. But what does this cloud over her bliss foreshadow?
Jasper's proclamation left me pondering: “I am rather despicable, you know; it's part of my business to be so. But a friend needn’t regard that. There is a man apart from his necessities.” Somehow, such hubris (confidence?) is considered appealing; indeed (for many – even today) it is the epitome of masculinity. Imagine the response if “woman” was inserted as an alternative for “man” here! “Jezebel,” comes to mind.
Good point!
"I got up at 7:30, and whilst I breakfasted I read through a volume I had to review. By 1030 the review was written..." So I had the same morning as Jasper!! ;)
Gissing is whipping up the care for Marian's happiness, highlighting her "sensitiveness" ("difficulties which are small account to people who take their part in active social life, harassed her to the destruction of all peace.") and her wishful and somewhat balanced assessment of her hopes for Jasper's love ("he was as far as possible from representing the lover of her imagination" / "...she recognized her power over him and exulted in it.")
At the end of the chapter I was concerned by a line that might lead her into Amy's current existence - "he must choose her in her poverty, and be content with what his talents could earn for him."
For Jasper's part he was at his self-centered, self-deprecating, and jocular best.
A perfect capture of Jasper: "self-centered, self-deprecating, and jocular." It is hard not to like him, despite his "weaknesses and follies."
I like him too, rather in spite of myself, but I'm worried for Marian. If extrication from this growing attachment is necessary, Jasper will suffer less. Having never read this before, I wonder what Gissing will do with these two. I don't see Jasper deviating from his course or getting swept away. But Marian has some talents that might add to a household's income. Hmm.
I too am worried for Marian, and left wondering what Gissing will do with them. I am all for love - and passion - but was hoping that Marian might discover the power of her voice and embrace "writing [as] a worthwhile pursuit" in which she finds "the joy one gets out of putting words together." A bit of independence might actually foster the "ray of dazzling sunshine" she seeks, and facilitate another form of "power" in which she might "exult."
I too thought of Edwin and Amy when Marian was reflecting. Jasper and Marian are very different people, but it might just lead to a different brand of marital unhappiness. Jasper is not the sort to content himself with anything. He has to be scheming and moving forward, fighting, as he puts it, for the good things in life. Marian, I think, would try to support him as she has her father, but she can be tried beyond endurance, as we are seeing.
There’s some overlap between Dorothea Brooks and Marian Yule. They both have complex love for men of letters but don’t see their own complicity in that love. The ‘graph which we the reader gets of her mind beginning: “He was so human...A taint of pedantry would have repelled her. She did not ask for high intellect or great attainments...her ideal would not have been a literary man at all...But in Jasper she saw the qualities that attracted her...ideal personages do not descend to girls who have to labour at the British Museum”. There’s a blurring of her desires with that of what she thinks she wants. It seems that we don’t always expect the origins of our love.
“Her ideal” and the” ideal personages” seem to refer to different types of men.
We finally see a little romance in NGS with nice elements: communication, caring, challenges. Jasper: “But your friendship is valuable. If I am sure of it, I shall be at all events within sight of better ideals.” These lines remind me of Nikolai thinking about Princess Marya in W&P. His good instincts draw him to a woman of sensitivity. And we know that turned out well. Too bad Marion doesn’t have have Marya’s pot of money, but there may be other solutions.
While it would be lovely for some form of healthy romance to develop, I had a more cynical perspective on these lines: “I shall go on as I have begun, and fight for some of the good things in life. But your friendship is valuable. If I am sure of it, I shall be at all events within sight of the better ideals.” Rather than owning/taking full responsibility for his actions, Jasper implicitly shifts responsibility to Marian; if she will stand by him [in friendship?] he will become a better person who embodies “better ideals” that transcend pure monetary worth. If she does not unconditionally offer her friendship, somehow she becomes responsible for his “lost potential?" No pressure?!
I too felt some apprehension reading that. I think he's sincere, but at the same time, it seems manipulative and in any case makes her the moral exemplar. She might want to fight for some of the good things in life too.
“A youth of all but monastic seclusion had prepared her to love the man who aimed with frank energy at the joys of life”. I think Marian’s lonely life at home makes her see Jasper through rose colored glasses. Its like dating the bad boy in school. Will he be there for her? Will he be committed to her? He already said he won’t let anything get in his way from making money and that he can be despicable. I could just be a cynic but I don’t think this looks promising.
I am in the minority on Team Jasper. We’ll see!
One of Yiyun’s quotes struck me as well: “And what’s the value of it all?” asked Maud.
The last chapter of book 1 ends with mention of two Diogenes (I love the Cynic one, with the barrel and the lantern) and with questions: how does one live and what is an honest living? The first chapters of volume two now move the questions of character forward with explicitness. Marian seems to be gaining ability to read her father's and Jasper's weaknesses in this regard. Her entire assessment of Jasper is one of "character."
This odd, physical description of Jasper also adds: “I don’t know that my friendship is worth much,” Jasper continued, talking into the upper air, a habit of his when he discussed his own character. “I shall go on as I have begun, and fight for some of the good things of life. But your friendship is valuable. If I am sure of it, I shall be at all events within sight of the better ideals.”
Why talk in the "upper air" when discussing one's own character? Is he lying? Suddenly telling the truth? The value of writing, the value of friendship...the study of character, questions of friendship & ideals. The underlying philosophical tone is both irritating and intriguing.
Agreed, irritating and intriguing!
Oh the “he loves me / he loves me not” debate that roils in Marian at the end of this chapter! It moved me greatly. Also, references to hunger:
“...[to] extract from the memory of his words, his looks, new sustenance for her hungry heart.”
“Premature, perhaps; why yes, but one who is starving is not wont to feel reluctance at the suggestion of food.”
Reasonable Marian is not immune to the delusions afforded by loneliness!
The references to hunger offer both, an audible chuckle, and a roiling gut punch at the dire reality of living with pervasive loneliness.
"...they live in such a crib..." Before rappers, Gissing summed it up in the 19th century.
i hope someone in this novel writes a great book. my vote is for dora or maud.
I am struck again and again in this book at the loneliness and solitude of the characters. Reardon works for years without friends. Marian has none until Dora and Maud arrive. Amy rejects Edith and so isolates herself. Jasper knows everyone but seems close to almost no one. (No wonder he is tempted by Marian.) Alfred Yule has buddies he can be bitter with, but that just leads to an especially miserable kind of hangover.
Jasper does speak to raise hopes, I think, especially in his farewell. "Dull, by no means, but sage and sober and reticent--and exactly what I like in my friend because it contrasts with my own habits. All the better that merriment lies below it." He seems to be articulating what he wants in a partner. At the same time, this explains his attraction to Reardon, a VERY sober fellow, though not without a certain merriment (as we see with Biffen), albeit increasingly throttled.
"But with what rapturous tumult of the heart she could abandon herself to a belief in human virtues when their suggestion seemed to promise her a future of happiness." Abandon herself, indeed. This infatuation makes me nervous. Jasper doesn't have to do much to encourage it, and she is so lonely.
Loneliness and solitude. Rapturous tumult of the heart. You beautifully - and poignantly - capture the soul of this book, which is "dull, by no means!"
Thank you! I didn't know what to expect going into this novel, but I am moved by it. These people are complicated and compelling--"exactly what I like" in a book. :)
Jasper: “I am rather despicable, you know; it’s part of my business to be so. But a friend needn’t regard that. There is the man apart from his necessities.” Is there a separate Jasper?