The novel Saturday is a very interesting story, about a successful neurosurgeon and his view of life after 9/11. The way the novel portrays the story of this doctor, Henry Perowne, keeps the reader entertained and thirsty to figure out the outcome of that Saturday.
The love Henry has for his family is a force that drives him to worry about the lack of safety in present times. Rosalind plays the biggest part in Henry’s life. Rosalind is that person Henry goes to when he feels threatened or insecure. After the car crash, with Baxter, Henry becomes vulnerable and the only person that can get him to feel better is Rosalind, so he calls her. “On this important day for her (Rosalind) he doesn’t want intend to distract her with the story of his near thrashing. And he doesn’t need sympathy. What he wants is more fundamental, the sound of her voice …” (100).
Through this fragment we can figure out Rosalind’s role. Every time Henry manages to describe her; how they met, the relationship with her father and other experiences, he does so with the greatest pleasure and detail possibly imagined.
Henry cannot seem to make up his mind on whether the war to overthrow Saddam is a wise move or not. Once he meets Miri Taleb, a former patient, he describes Henry the horrible experiences of the time he was arrested, Henry then convinces himself that the war might not be such a bad idea.
This idea of war and possible terrorist attacks is what drives humanity mad. There is no such sense of safety anymore, and by nature we all seek safety. Britain and all of the United State’s allies are alert in case of a possible terrorist attack; hence the march, and the thorough investigation of the Heathrow plane crash in the novel. As Nan A. Talese explains in Saturday – A Day in The Life: “It’s the fear of terror that has overtaken the western world since 9/11, that thousands of happy lives, if not more, could be snuffed out in moments during the war.”
Personally, I enjoyed Theo’s theory about life he discusses with his father, Henry. Theo explains to his father, “But I think small, closer in – you know, a girl I’ve just met, snowboarding next month, then it (the World) looks great.” He does make an interesting point, and I don’t mean to completely forget about global events, but neither flood your mind with it.
2 comments:
Good point that the son makes to the father. Why is the different ways the two generations examine the world so important to the novel?
I really like your analysis and I agree with your views on the incidents in the novel. Henry's relationship with his wife is very important because he can be vulnerable with her. She definitely serves as a rock for Henry to lean on during times when he needs her. He has such a romantic view of his wife and because he admires her so much it makes it easier for him to feel supported by her. I think it is difficult for Henry to make a decision about the war because he feels so insecure. I think he wants to make a decision that is in the best interest of his safety. If thewar takes place it could make London a target. However, if there is no war it could also show fear and also make then open to an attack. It is only throught his experience with Miri Taleb that he makes a semi-decision that the war may not be a bad thing to do. I also agree with the point you made about the difference in views of Henry and his son Theo. It is typical that the younger generation see things as less threatening because they have a since of invincibility and just want to enjoy and explore life. However, the older generstion has more of a guard up about safety and a more worrisome outlook on security in general.
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