Power Dynamics & Social Status: Pages 28-38

During the next ten pages of the novel, I find that The Lover invokes more tension and emotion encumbered by the narrator. I believe that Duras becomes more intimate with the reader and her narration of the novel is more of a personal reflection of her life. It's worth noting that the theme of death also becomes more prominent in The Lover as she mentions the death of her father and her mother's father. The theme of death involved the omen of birds and her mother's prediction of death which was an admiration for Duras and her brothers. "Both of them died on the day and at the time of the bird or the image...no doubt, our admiration for our mother's knowledge, about everything, including all that had to with death."  (32) Perhaps the deaths occurring in their family foreshadows greater darkness and ill-fated events in Duras (and her love life?)

Proceeding to the introduction of the Chinese man which I assume is the lover which the novel is named after, there's is also an exploration of power dynamics in conjunction with social class and wealth. The author's depiction of the Chinese man whom she eventually makes love with was very unique in the way she emphasized the difference of race which she describes him as being "at her mercy." It's obvious there's somewhat racial tensions and a manipulation of racial differences by Duras to gain at her own advantage. "His hand is trembling. There's the difference of race, he's not white, he has to get better of it, that's why he's trembling." (32) Again, it's striking how she focuses on the weakness of others and portraying people mostly in a negative light. I don't think I would like to befriend people like Duras who is constantly critical of people's behavior and race rather than embracing differences.

Source: http://25.media.tumblr.com/b53468a649f3f94a67b345e9c4ed5c5d/tumblr_my61slgrUX1rs1gaeo2_r1_250.jpg

Her interaction with the Chinese man also raised red flags for me and it certainly reminded me of The Reader because of the unhealthy relationship pursued by both individuals. However, Duras doesn't exhibit any love or infatuation for the Chinese man like Michael had felt for Hanna, she was simply attracted to him for his wealth and all the opportunities she can gain from him. She even admits that the Chinese man's "madness" for her wasn't exactly love, just what I would interpret as attraction based on her beauty."She doesn't feel anything in particular, no hate, no repugnance either, so probably it's already desire. But she doesn't know it......It's as if this must be not only what she expects, but also what had to happen especially to her." (36)

However, their relationship is not completely founded on superficiality, but also how they both share the feeling of loneliness and abandonment...and that somehow they can complete each other but Duras realizes that he will never understand her."Suddenly, all at once, she knows, knows that he doesn't understand her, that he will never will, that he lacks the power to understand such perverseness....It's up to her to know. And she does.....She was attracted to him. It depended on her alone. (37) I definitely prefer the more contemplative and human psyche part of Duras's personality.