First Discussion Question (DQ)

Let's work on this one - responding to the question & then to each other's posts - for a while before we move on.

DQ #1 - There are 8 major characters that Marge Piercy introduces in the first 100 pages of her novel (Louise, Daniel, Jacqueline, Abra, Naomi, Bernice, Jeff, Ruthie). Of these characters, with which one(s) do you most relate? Why?

Lynn

I feel a great affinity to Louise and to Naomi.

With Louise, the connection has to do with her being a single, working mom. The difficulties of dealing with a teenage daughter with virtually no input from her Dad, the questionning of one's self about whether or not you're being a good enough Mom. But, in addition to the role of mother, I relate to Louise's work life - the travel, the pressure, the roles that need to be played. I also relate to Louise's physical feelings about her ex-husband. Just because the marriage is over, it's hard to totally cut the physicality of a 15-year relationship. Took me at least a year after my separation to "cut those strings."

With Naomi, I relate to her feelings of being an "outsider." Especially with regards to her lack of understanding about the prejudice she sees around her. Although I was born and raised in this country, I have NEVER understood what is going on with people when they are cruel to others because of their race/religion/nationality/gender/weight/sexual preferences. While it often seems to me that those around me - including some of my family members - engage in such behaviors, I have always felt like an alien when I encounter it. It is not just a feeling of judging such behaviors negatively, it is a feeling of "a lack of understanding of the culture" of hate. Sometimes I've felt that I'm missing a gene that is part of many others' "human" nature.

Lynn

Well, I have to say that Gone to Soldiers has once again pulled me into the drama of each character - and with each new chapter, which continues the stories of each of them, I find myself identifying more and more closely with whichever one I’m currently reading about. It’s pulled me in so completely (it always does) that I haven’t even taken the time to post much on GG’s, and I’m sorry for that, but at the same time remain unable to crawl out of the book for very long.
I read your comments to DH, Lynn, and he said, with regard to your alienation from the “culture of hate” that you should feel GOOD about your lack of understanding (or "missing gene"). Too bad there weren’t more people who can’t understand it. He grew up in Texas, and his parents employed Mexican labor. His father, he says, was a good man and treated the men and women who worked for him well, but still looked upon them as inferior - something that my DH never was able to understand, and he has had those same feelings of alienation that you describe throughout his life.
But, with regard to the characters, and those with whom I most identify, I have to say that I find myself identifying with each of them strongly when I’m on “their chapters”. But, having said that, I think I probably understand Abra well, in that her background was similar to mine except we weren’t nearly as wealthy as it sounds like her family was. But much of it feels familiar, up to and including her experiences with her college roommates and her interest in men unlike those she grew up with, which is, of course, how I ended up with my ex-husband. I really do understand that desire on her part to not be a part of the establishment, to not do everything just as her family and social milieu expects her to. Frankly, I even find Oscar damned attractive, and can imagine myself quite swept up by him at her age.
And then there’s Jeff - the artist, the seeker. Jeff is truly on “the hero’s journey, I think, and searching for meaning in a world that often seems not to make much sense. He’s been something of a floater along the surface of things, but finds himself tested and tried - and in a manner of speaking, does well enough. He does the best he can, and that’s what we all ultimately have to do in life, from what I can see.
So I guess I would say that for me, Abra & Jeff.
I also have to say that I am sooooooo happy to be having some intelligent discussion about this book. Thanks so much for facilitating this, Lynn!

Z

Hmmmm. Without going back and checking out their character descriptions in the beginning of the book, this is what I remember – I hope I am not missing any big holes in my takes on these characters.

I also feel that I can relate broadly to all the characters as I am reading each chapter, Jacqueline’s naiveté’ about the fatal seriousness of discrimination attitude of the occupying troops in France at the beginning of the war, Louise’s constant devotion to be a good mother, Abra’s independence from family history, Daniel’s offhand dismissal of his talents, and his belief in just plain luck the reason for his young professional success, Jeff’s love of art and the unconventional way of life, etc.

But the characters I find I most relate to in the book, at least right now, are Bernice and Ruthie.

Bernice for her strength and loyalty to dote on a stubborn and sexist father always with a smile on her face, and at the same time, she is driven to work hard (typing manuscripts at all hours) to reach her dreams of flying, despite the odd choice of hobby (and finally profession) of a woman in that time. I also liked and admired her “can do” tough attitude in the midst of knowing “I could die from this”, while at the same time, always being there in her sensitive, gentle way toward her brother and others in their various trials and tribulations.

Unlike Bernice with her family’s academic upbringing, experience with men, and worldly travel, Ruthie, a city girl, also has the same drive to pursue her dream of becoming a social worker, despite having to work shifts in a factory, bravely putting up with insults and digs from the male co-workers, and being a strong force in her family at such a young age. I like her moxy. At the same time, she embraces her young cousin, Naomi, with sensitivity and gentleness and always tries to make time to spend with her sometimes “troubled” relative, in the hopes of steering her in the right direction.

I admire both of their “stick-to-a-tive-ness” to achieve their goals and dreams, despite living and putting up with various daily hardships to get there.

Hummm...I really like Ruthie as well. I liked the way she comes to Bernice's "rescue" when her uncle takes advantage of her. I admire her strength and determination, and also realted to her struggle over losing her virginity with Morris. If the war was not rushing her into a decision I could see her patiently waiting - but in this case she decides with her heart and gives Morris part of herself.

I also like Jeff, the artist, and his free spirit. If I were to fall in love with one of them, it would be Jeff.

Lyn

About Oscar (and Claude) - I began to write that I disliked that fact that they could not commit to one woman. However, the more I think about it, the more I realize that all of the men in my life have had that issue. Not sure if I just choose that type of man (men who will have a part of their lives that is separate from me), or if most men just engage in that behavior.

About Jeff - while I would like to spend some time with Jeff, I do not relate to his artistic nature (my creativity is more like Louise's than Jeff's), nor do I relate to his nomadic, adventurous life. While I had a definite flair for "partying hard" in my younger days, I always followed a pretty linear path about my career and my education.

About Daniel - I relate to his love of different cultures & people from different cultures. Not sure if I ever discussed it here, but my original field in education was teaching English to people from other countries. I REALLY loved that work.

A general comment - even though these characters were created 20 years ago, they are timeless. I see aspects of them in people I know and in myself. I guess that essential characteristics of human beings have not changed all that much.

Lynn