On page 43, here I feel that Lenny tries to bring some humour into the already intense atmosphere between himself and Ruth; he tries to break the barrier but fails.
Lenny continuously asks random questions throughout this section with his encounter with Ruth. I feel it shows his weakness as he is unable to keep up with her intellectually, that he has to always divert the topics to random issues. This also shows his nervousness, because he feels intimidated as Ruth is the dominant figure.
Lenny keeps switching the conversation to random topics,
“Old Ted. I thought he was in America.” Here I feel he tries to act clever, I feel that he is trying to find out information but without making it too obvious.
But I feel that Ruth is one step ahead, because when she limits what she reveals. When Ruth replies to Lenny’s question she tells him “we’re on a visit to Europe,” this is a strong answer as it shows that, that is all the information that shall be revealed.
Lenny uses a metaphor to describe the sound of everyday objects during the day; I sense he is trying to rise intellectually after failing to get into a conversation with Ruth.
Again Lenny has another go at trying to find out information, I feel that he doesn’t understand how his brother could be somewhat successful in the sense that he has a wife, family and a good job and in America. By Lenny asking if Ruth lives with Teddy in America, it shows that he is refusing to acknowledge Ruth as a part of the family.
The atmosphere throughout this meeting seems slightly awkward; I feel that Ruth is uncomfortable with Lenny being there in that way but she doesn’t show it physically. When later Lenny tells Ruth about his stumble upon a ‘prostitute’ I sense that he is trying to impress Ruth that he is in control, and that he can do whatever he wants how he wants.
However I feel it fails to make an impression on Ruth because she again mocks Lenny’s intelligence “How did you know she was diseased?,” at this point Lenny is put on the spot and I sense that he is going mad mentally trying to find a way out of this situation. The pause that follows is vital as it makes it more dramatic and I feel it is the moment that separates both Lenny and Ruth.
He feels somewhat humiliated as he was nearly exposed by Ruth that his story was or could have been untrue. So again he tries to put the spotlight on her, by again approaching her with a question about teddy and herself.
On page 50, I feel that he has distanced himself from Ruth so in order to get in touch again he asks her a question about an ashtray.
Here I feel the situation becomes a little weird, Lenny seems to know what’s best for Ruth by assuming that she has consumed enough water. I feel h tries to assert himself, tries to act superior and dominant by knowing what’s best for Ruth.
On page 51, Ruth has another go at mocking Lenny but by going for a more personal approach by reminding him of his mother, he becomes quite angry and demanding.
On page 53, I feel that there is role reversal, because as before Lenny describes how in the situation with the prostitute he had the upper hand and was more dominant, it all turns against him because now Ruth has the upper hand, telling him what to do like a mother telling her child.
Ruth becomes more seductive, “Lie on the floor. Go on. I’ll pour it down your throat,” here I feel she is mocking him with her feminism, she is toying with his mind. I feel that Ruth is trying to gain sexual control over Lenny. I that Lenny starts to actually fall for it all, buts its part of Ruth’s games she wants him or trying to make him feel intimidated by mocking him on his territory. I think that Ruth succeeds in doing that and makes a dramatic exit on page 53 by smiling and walking of leaving Lenny confused.
