Fair enough for Duras actually

Hey Everyone! This week's book is "The Lover" by Marguerite Duras. This book was an interesting read because it was very strange yet it kept me wanting to read more. It felt like one of those forbidden reads where I wanted to see if the nameless 27 year-old Chinese man would end up with 15 year-old Duras.

Initially, when I was in the first half of the book,  I definitely thought it was weird that Duras was accepting the advances of a 27 year-old Chinese man. The way they met on the ferry crossing the Mekong river and how, initially hesitant, but still accepted his invitation to give her a ride home on his black Limousine was very careless of her. I understand her being curious about his wealth and status, however, it felt like she was so absentminded. 

Then, I got to around the 50th page and I started to understand more and more why Duras did the actions she did. Understanding more of her background, having a very controlling mother, a very abusive, addicted, gambler for an older brother and also not enjoying her school life and did not even attend high school. Her aspiration to become a writer aligns perfectly with how the novel depicts Duras. As a spirited and independent individual who defies traditional education and societal expectations. However, her mother saw this job career as unstable and unpractical and forced her to become a mathematician. In addition, their family also had financial troubles as her mom used to cry and wail about the money sharks that squeezed money out of their family. Realizing the environment she grew up in, I kind of understood why she wanted to experience something more. Something more adventurous and exploring her sexual side. It was definitely odd reading a 27-year old getting it on with a 15 year-old but Duras just wanted freedom at that point. Moreover, this forbidden relationship also helped in her family's financial struggles. However, the more time she spent with him, the more he she got addicted to his touch and love.

One thing I found very distasteful was the dinners her family had with Duras' lover. It made me understand what the family thought of this forbidden relationship. Obviously, they did not agree with it but, they still took advantage of his money and got to eat their fill which was hypocrisy at its finest.

In the end, after a year and a half long worth of passion and intimacy, the relationship ended as they realized it wouldn't work out. Due to social constraints, cultural differences and the expectations placed on each of them from their families, they broke it up. However, they still loved each other as shown in the end which felt bittersweet.

Discussion Question: Do you think that this relationship could work if both of them threw away their family status and decided to date?