Norris Does Not Believe in Love?

Norris seems to be implying that it is not possible for a man and a woman to love each other in the fullest at the same time. That is, a man can love a woman and vice versa to the fullest, but these states will occur at different intervals of the relationship. During this period in literature it is common to see the man see the woman and shortly after fall in love with that which they cannot have. Women are a little more reserved as they are not allowed to choose who courts them. This is one of the reasons that women are not as infatuated with men as early as men are with women. Early in the relationship the man has seen and decided that a certain girl was for them, and then they begin to desire whatever the women withholds from them. McTeague’s love stemmed from this very trait. He desired to hold and kiss Trina while she refused. Once Mac was able to acquire this from her his love slowly dimmed. That is, as he fed the beast inside the beast began to require more and more, and Trina had less and less to give up. While this was going on Trina’s love was just blossoming. Her love requires her to submit those which Mac required. As he submits more and more to him her love for him grows. It seems that Norris is suggesting that on the natural time and growth table of love man and woman will never reach the peak together. During their second kiss Norris notes that this point was the happiest that either would ever be. I believe that this point is the midpoint where Mac’s love on the downfall and Trina’s on the rise were the closest that they would get to one another before again spreading out. I have to say I don’t know much about that time and how men felt but in today’s day in age I believe those few marriages that last only grow with the time.

Twain's Use of Humor

Twain uses comedy for many different reasons. He can hide behind his comedy when talking about issues that are new and society is not ready to hear. He wrote Puddn’head Wilson as a sort of mystery that has a real issue to talk about. He begs the reader to ask what makes race? He shows that genetics cannot because “Chambers” finds out that he is white and rich but cannot function as the rich white people he see’s around him. Twain also uses comedy to keep the reader interested. He uses comic relief through puddn’head being misunderstood or similar situations for nothing more than to entertain the reader. But there is a deeper satirical comedy that the reader can see as well. Like the irony that we see from Roxy going to extreme lengths just so she can keep her son from being sold down the river. She contemplates suicide and murder! It is unreal how far she is willing to go just to escape the loss of her son in the form of being sold down the river. As it turns out Chambers being “Tom” takes her son from the beginning. She is never really able to get that relationship that mothers want. And to wrap it all up Twain sends Chambers down the river anyway, a worse fate then spending life in prison is getting sent down to the mean slave owners down the river. The deep irony makes you smile as you think about it. Roxy was willing to watch her child grow from the window instead of take part as long as she could have, “Chambers” is never sold down the river, and then when all unravels her miserable son gets sent down the river. It is hilarious in a sick sort of way. As long as it doesn’t happen to you, you can sit on the outside and smile.