1. "I already knew the power of language to destroy, to omit, to obliterate," says Jakob. "But poetry, the power of language to restore: this was what both Athos and Kostas were trying to teach me" [79]. What instances does the novel give of the destructive power of language? In what ways does writing—both the writing of poetry and of translations—help to heal and restore Jakob? Does silence—the cessation of language—have its own function, and if so, what might it be?
2. "We were a vine and a fence. But who was the vine? We would both have answered differently" [108]. Here Jakob is speaking of his relationship with Athos; of what other relationships in the novel might this metaphor be used? Does Michaels imply that dependence is an integral part of love?
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The instances the novel gives of the destructive power of language is that words do hurt. Also words hurt more than "bullets" and words might hunt a person. Words can destroy a relationship forever. Poerty heals and restores Jakob by poerty letting him express how he feels. Also it let go problems he held inside for a long time. Poerty made him kind of get over his families death. The metaphor might be used to describe his relationship with the Nazi's. Yes, Michaels imply that dependence is an integral part of love.
1. There were instances when the novel shows the destructive power of language was when they described such images. The readers, the audience can almost visualize such brutality and cruelty. Children on their own, running and taking every last breath like there will be not be another. And Yes Silence does play its own function. Silence allows the audience to take time and reflect on what they read. It allows them to feel how the characters in the book feel and it allows them to process everything.
2. This metaphor does relate to many other parts of the novel. It actually, in my opinion applies into the entire novel. Well at least the parts that I read so far. The novel revolves around the Holocaust. It was such a horrific time in history and everyone was dependent on one another. They lost their families, their homes and everything that they knew. So as soon as they found someone they could relate to, someone they could love, that would actually love them back, they held on to them (as a vine on a fence)and kept holding on like there would be no tomorrow. It was very hurtful to know that such people, such innocence could be brutalized to such an extent.
2. "We were a vine and a fence. But who was the vine? We would both have answered differently" [108]. Here Jakob is speaking of his relationship with Athos; of what other relationships in the novel might this metaphor be used? Does Michaels imply that dependence is an integral part of love?
I think that he is saying that dependence is an intergral part of because in some situations we depend on those we love so love and dependence come hand in hand.
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2. This metaphor could also be used in accordance with Jakob's sister, Bella. Because Jakob still thinks about Bella, he's still hanging on to her. For instance, on page 140 Jakob talks about how everythings reminds him of Bella: hairbrushes, hairclips, gloves, bedtime. In this case, he's the vine and Bella is the fence. Michael's is implying that dependence is needed to complete love, and I agree because even if someone you love is dead, you still seem to depend on their memory to keep you up even though it sometime makes you nostalgic and unhappy.
The written word is probably half of any kind of communication, but it is one of the most powerful ways of expression. I think that while words "tell", action (or no action) in silence can "show".
Writing helps Jakob to share his traumatizing memories; in the book, it is mentioned that writing in the English language is what helps Jakob to shield himself from his real, true language, and thus his real, true memories.
The second question asks weather or not "dependence is an integral part of love". I think that in order to grow, which is a major part of a loving relationship, one must have a dependence on the other (or others) in their relationship. Without dependence, there is no growth, and thus no love.
~ Pendle
1. Language is a powerful tool. The novel demonstates the power of language effectively through Jacob's eyes- Jacob, a boy who has come to know three languages, who has both tried to bury his greif under the fabric of a new language and who has also discovered the power of language through his poetry. Language can destroy in slander, ridicule, harsh words in moments of anger and disappointment, or even in moments of misunderstanding. For example, in the novel, Jacob misunderstands the store owner- believing him to have said "No, we have suspicions," instead of "We have chickens." This simple misunderstanding scared and troubled Jacob to the point where he vowed not to return to that shop again. Words of slander about one's background or personality can infuriate; words of rejection in cases of love can tear a heart apart; innocent words taken from a well-intended message can trigger painful memories. Jacob also experiences the healing power of words. He finds poetry as an outlet for his emotions, his confusions about his past. He revisits this past through the screen of the English language, which helps provide the level of removal that enables him to explore his unresolved emotions without having to endure severe emtional distress (as he might ahve done if writing in his native Polish tongure). At times, also, silence has remarkable healing power. Sometimes it is best to stop trying to label and define emotions, but simply to let them wash around one's consiousness until they can resolve themselves; there is no need to complicate them with words.
2. The vine and the fene metaphor may also apply to the men of Scott's voyage. They needed to depend on each other, support each other in order to accomplish their mission. Yes, I think that Micheals implies that dependence is an integral part of love. She also expresses that love can stem from dependence. In the case of Athos and Jacob, each 'saved' the other in a way; they both came to find a need for the presence and support of the other. It was this need, this dependence that developed into love. Micheals is saying that in the strongest kinds of love, each party needs the other; there is a mutual system of both support and need of support that strngthens the relationships between two individuals and intensifies the power of love.
1. In this novel the obvious example of language destroying is how the Nazis use language (and lack of language--silence) to omit aspects of history that don't glorify the "Nordic" (or "Aryan") race. They use language to degrade the Jews and other minorities, to inspire racism in the German people. Jakob, who has been a victim to this destructive use of language, also becomes restored through language, when he becomes a translator.
2. I would say that, yes, she is arguing that dependence is a part of love, especially in Athos and Jakob's case. First of all, had they not found each other, both would most likely have died, so they essentially owe one another their lives. Of course, you could also argue that if you're dependent on someone, it's best if you have some sort of positive connection. Athos has Jakob for when he becomes depressed, reflecting on the death of his wife, and Jakob has Athos for the many times he becomes haunted by Bella, and the other memories of his past before he came to Athos. Both have (slightly less intense) dependences on Daphne and Kostas, who provide emotional stability, but also some kind of link to the past they missed while in hiding.
Zoe Johnson
1. In Fugitive Pieces, Anne Michaels portrays language in many powerful ways. There are many ways in which language can destroy relationships, life, hope, inspiration, etc. It can also restore all of those things. Language is the basis of humanity and communication and interaction; which are, for us as humans, crucial and necessary for life. In Fugitive Pieces, words are constantly the destruction and upliftment of Jakob's life and feelings. An example of the destructive power of language in the book was when Jakob kept repeating to himself "I'm a Jew, I'm a Jew, I'm a Jew..." And the different languages that Jakob learned uplifted him through his poetry and even helped him to put his past behind him, very moderately. Yes, I think that silence held a big part in Jakob Beer's life for many reasons; mostly because memory and silent, secretive existence was a huge part of his life.
2. This metaphor may be used for Athos and Jakob's reliance on their friends Kostas and Daphne, and their dependence upon safe locations to spend their time together. I think that Michaels certainly does imply that dependence is a huge part of relationships, because in reality it is and in the relationships in Fugitive Pieces, it is.
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