Close Reading and Reading Closely, Essay Example

House Taken Over by Julio Cortazar and translated by Paul Blackburn

The narrative presented by Cortazar was more of a depiction on how his relationship with his sister is neglected by the community that they are living in. The first section of the story seemed to be nothing extra ordinary but the beginning of a common plot of two people living together in one roof as a married couple (Cain, et al, 2001). However, at the turn of the second paragraph, it was rather surprising to know that they are living in the ancestral home that they shared as kids. Being brother and sister, they shared their whole lives together. The narrator further pointed out that they ended up together after passing particular relationships they have shared with other people who may have distinctively changed their understanding about relationships. They likely found that they were more comfortable with each other.

Of course, such pattern of relationship is not that easy to accept especially that the idea of incest has never been an acceptable matter in the society then and know. Popular culture notes that in history, people sharing such an [immoral relationship] are often stereotyped, sometimes even punished for committing such a crime (Eagleton, 2008). Nevertheless, it was the comfort and contentment that made it possible for the narrator and his sister to live and be happy together as a married couple.

The knitting hobby of Irene [the sister] was repeatedly mentioned in the story as if it was the only thing she cared about. This however could be considered a sense of symbolism. An indication that even though she may find herself contented with the situation, it does not mean she is happy at all. Knitting kept her inside the house, away from the judgmental eyes of the people surrounding them. Her knitting hobby was an escape from reality, a reason why when she lost it in the end, she felt as if she was of no worth anymore. The house being gradually taken from them specifically notes how the people around them detests their relationship, as if putting them off the circle, pointing out how people like them have no place in such a community.

References

Blackburn, P. “House Taken Over” (“Casa Tomada”) by Julio Cortázar. http://jessbarga.wikispaces.com/file/view/Cort%C3%A1zar,+House+Taken+Over.pdf. Retrieved on February 22, 2014.

Cain, William E.; Finke, Laurie A.; Johnson, Barbara E.; McGowan, John; Williams, Jeffrey J. (2001). Vincent B. Leitch, ed. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. Norton. Eagleton, Terry (2008). Literary theory: an introduction: anniversary edition (Anniversary, 2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.