THE FAITHFUL WIFE-MORLEY CALLAGHAN
Morley Callaghan apparently was concerned late in life that people would remember him for one minor achievement: the little Canadian had knocked down the macho Ernest Hemingway in a boxing match refereed by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Callaghan preferred to be known for his novels. It's his short stories however that will be his lasting legacy—along with the fact that he knocked down Hemingway.Using Callaghan's Work, The Faithful Wife, respond to the following questions and comment on two of your colleagues' posts. Cite evidence from the Work as support.
Why are Lola and George attracted to one another? In what ways does the winter setting serve as a catalyst?
I believe they were attracted to each other simply because neither of them was affectionately or intimately involved with anyone else at the time. Even though Lola has a husband they can’t ever make love because of his injuries or illness which made it all the more impossible for her to receive the pleasure she so desperately longed for. George, on the other hand, had no lady in his life and in my opinion, was too longing for an intimate moment. He always had pleasant thoughts of her and she too had noticed him, she was just bold enough to step up to the plate. George was interested and attracted to her otherwise he wouldn’t have accepted her late night invitation.
ReplyDeleteOn page 139,1st column, George asked Lola if she had a habit of picking up guys who would make house-calls and she replied, “No. No, I don’t know what got into me. I like you and felt a little crazy.” If at that moment Lola was being honest with George, then in my opinion, I would say that she was indeed a faithful wife to her sick husband all through the other seasons but it wasn’t until winter, the coldest, that she did indeed change. The cold, sometimes called “together weather”, could have done Lola so bad that she yearned for warmth, warmth from the weather but most obviously, warmth from the arms of a man. Callaghan opened the story describing the winter setting but later said that although outside was extremely cold, it was always warm in the station. Well George worked there and it was in that place that Lola found that which she so desperately desired; warmth from the freezing air of the day and her opportunity at pleasure with George.
I don't think that George and Lola are attracted to each other. George may be the one who is attracted to her as it says in paragraph six that he was the one that had pleasant thoughts. We don't know for sure if she had thoughts about him and if she was ever really attracted to him. We only know that one day she smiled and later called and asked for him. i believe that Lola is cunning and she picks out guys who she believes will be discreet enough to carry out her plans. she is the one who is playing a game to satisfy herself and knows just the right line to say to George to make him believe that she is actually attracted to him. An innocent, devoted wife would not know to say lines such as "no, you got too many girls George. Don't you know the number?" or " you're not very friendly,""why don't you come over here and sit beside me." if she and George were truly both attracted to each other she would have behaved jus as timid as George.
ReplyDeleteEncarnita Bennett:
ReplyDeleteI believe that Lola and George were attracted to each other because of their personality towards each other from the beginning. George who was hard working and a very polite and generous young man, as stated in paragraph 2 on page 137, noticed that Lola's behavior was not like the other girls he had seen come into the restaurant. She was gentle and her appearance seems to be respectful and her facial expression was pleasant. George was not aggressive towards her even though he used to think about her everyday, and looked at the way she carry herself whenever she passes the restaurant window. He waited patiently until the day when she smiled back politely that him. That smile assured him that he too was interested in them. The fact that she made the phone call to him to invite him over to her home, meant that there were some sort of attraction between them.
The setting was in the winter one week away from Christmas as stated in Paragraph 6 on page 137. Christmas is a time when family and love ones spend time together. George knew that he was to go back home and at the present moment he did not have the affection of a family or love one. By Lola smiling at him and inviting him over to her house, there was hope for him to feel affection from someone during the winter time. I believe that winter in itself does not have much to do with the way Lola and George felt. In my opinion, it could have been any other time of the year, but both their emotions would not have been different mainly because they were both looking for affection.
In the story "The Faithful Wife", Lola started out as someone respectable who is filled with good family values; values that a man so eagerly hunts whenever he meets a woman. In public Lola portrayed an image of a middle class woman who is devoted to her home by the manner in which she would present herself in public that drew the recognition of George and his friends. (Reference page 137 paragraph 4). However, little did George knew, that the same admiration and like he had towards Lola was the same way she felt about him, which became evident when she blew him away with a smile, that only he knew the silent unspoken words of. (Reference page 137 Paragraph 5) Their attraction for each other could have been observed when George, working late one evening, was closing off at the restaurant when he got an unexpected call from a lady. Unable to receive the call, George returned a called to the number left at the counter and found out after several questions it was Lola the rosy red cheek dame he had been admiring for so long. Reference page 138 paragraph 7 Thus, this proves the point that their interest in each other were both mutual and time was to be the healer of all open wounds!!! Reference page 138 paragraph 12, 13 and 14.
ReplyDeleteDue to the setting of this story and the time of the year it took place, it is likely that the weather had some influence on Lola and George and their burning desire to have attempted to spark a flame! Refernce page 138 ending paragraph 6 and paragraph 10 and 11 Lola who was being deceitful all along, broke down as she was about to open up to George; in the cool winter nite, freezing all hope of feeling warm and happy and safe as she confessed that she was indeed married. Reference page 139 paragraph 20
According to Mrs. Bennett, she believed that George was the weak one hear falling for Lola's tricks; which could be argued that this was something she has done already due to the urgency in which she invited George into her little make shift one night stand room. Thus Lola was the one with the inner turmoil of having to live with a vegetarian or being with a man who is able and capabale of giving her that love and affection she truly needed. George was only being a man!
In Reference to TaurusSpari, I agree with their view on the weather taking over Lola's body forcing to seek warmth and love in a time when everyone should be giving of themselves. Lola was definately lacking some good loving and maybe even some sex!
On page 137, first paragraph conveys a cold, solitary setting. Men notice girls moving around but no one is actually getting cosy with each other. The pace of the story is moderate as the round players turn out to be George and Lola. In the second column, second paragraph (p. 137) George is the one who first takes note and admires this nameless female; it kind of interpersonal as his admiration occurs only in his mind - he keeps his possible affection for her to himself.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I must admit that while the characters motives seemed distant from each other, I had an expectation of a union between George and Lola. She, in my opinion, was unfaithful even though she did not play out her obvious plan; p. 138, second column, starting at para. 3 (Slowly...). I note from the story that the cold setting created a need for warmth, and agree with TaurusSpari's view that the cold forced these two people to realize the warmth they needed in their lives. The cold conveyed a loneliness.
I tend to disagree with Karina's point of view where she thinks that Lola was cunning. As George questioned her about her behavior on p. 139, first column, last part where the dialogue begins with "Do you have many fellows?" Lola's response was no but she just felt a little crazy which encourages me to believe that up until now as TaurusSpari noted, Lola was faithful but the cold drove her to seek warmth in the arms of someone who could return the love that her husband could not.
1. Lola and George were attracted to each other because it was Christmas time and they both had voids to fill. Although Lola was married to Irene, she was attracted to George but clearly just wanted to tease him. This is so because she was too precise about detail and certainly did her homework on George. She knew his name and clearly wanted to create a scene at the bar by leaving her number for him to call (page 138). Her husband’s devastating injury which he received in war was a factor as it made him unable to have sex but if she really wanted sex she would not have told George to come to her place such a short while before she knew Irene would come home. Therefore, her entire act was done to tease and put some excitement in her life. George on the other hand was single and had a genuine attraction for Lola as evident by the fact that he tried to remain opposite her so he could be in her view. He was not like the other guys behind the counter; he was polite and generous so we know he is a nice guy (page 137).
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Ms Encarnita Bennett we all need love and affection especially when the weather gets cold. According to the passage (page 138) Lara asked George to sit beside her so that he could embrace her. The warm embrace of a hug makes the coldest days become warm. Because it was winter their need to be comforted intensified; we all like to feel appreciated but that is even more so when the weather is cool. There is just an urge to feel loved when it is cold.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Ms Karina August’s argument about George and Lola not being attracted to each other. George and Lola were both attracted to each other even if it was just a sexual attraction. (On page 138) Lola said come oh; come upstairs, she said smiling and practical. Like a Delilah luring Sampson in her house to cut his hair, so too was Lola trying to prey on the younger George. She was aggressive and clearly and had more experience than the young college boy leaving him eager for her, George states, “But I have only kissed and hugged you and your’re wonderful.” She could have gone all the way but she chose not to because she really loves her husband and just wanted a little fling she states I liked you and felt a little crazy. SPUDDY!
ReplyDeleteLola and George were similar people living in the same type of situations. Lola’s husband was injured and living away from her because he could not help himself. Even if he was there he could not have taken care of his husbandly duties. Lola was lonely and needed someone to show her love, compassion and a little affection. George was working at the station counter to raise enough money so that he can go back home to his family. They were both without their families and longing for the feeling of warmth from another person. The weather plays a great role in pushing these two together.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if they were even more similar in character. They were both different from everyone else in the story. It says on page 137 “For years they must have had a poor reputation. This was speaking of the other counter men. In the second paragraph it stated “but he was very polite and generous” this was showing how different he was from the rest.
To show the difference in the women the author spoke of girls brightly dressed and highly powdered, loitered in front of the open door. In paragraph (4) four Lola was described as something completely different.
George felt that Lola did not notice him but from what I have gathered Lola did notice him and contemplated spending time with him. She did not only change her style of dress but she changed her attitude toward George on the day she made up her mind to seek affection from another human being
According to my classmate George, Lola has been deceitful all along but I think otherwise. She was lonely and longing for companionship and she tried her best but failed. She changed her style of dress and attitude to show that she was being different.
Tauruspari said that the cold weather brought them close and I totally agree. They had noticed each other before and a certain feeling had sparked and the condition brought both of them together.
Lola at the time i think felt lonely and needed some kind of excitement in her life, after all she was young and her husband was paralize so she knew she could not fulfill her desire. George on the other hand did not have any one and he think he was not noticeable to any female because of his appearance. I also believe because it was cold these two felt the need of togetherness that bring warmness. Taurus Spari made a good view which i agree with when it is cold we all need to be in the arms of our love one to feel the warmness.
ReplyDeleteLola and George are attracted to each other because they both were looking for that significant person in their life that would fill the void they both had. Although Lola was married, her husband was not around at that time, so Lola was looking for comfort. On the other hand George being a nice young man even gentleman like attracted Lola, Lola being a beautiful and elegant young lady attracted George. George who worked behind the counter of the station restaurant was not the most good looking person but was very polite and generous (page 137). Lola was married and her husband had been injured in the war and had not come home for a while which caused Lola to feel lonely and because of this she found someone to show her affection who was George.
ReplyDeleteThe winter setting serve as a catalyst because at winter the climate is cold and that is the time for lovers together weather as I call it. The writer states that it was close to Christmas time which is the time for sharing and caring so the setting and atmosphere was just right for the story.
ReplyDeleteThe story “Faithful Wife” by Morley Callaghan was a story about two individuals who was very attracted to each other. I strongly believe Lola and George was attracted to each other because George found her very attractive every time she came into the coffee shop he watched her carefully everyday at noon hour(page 137 paragraph 4). Paragraph 4 line 13 he also admired her cheeks which were usually rosy from the cold wind outside. George fallowed her with his eyes while pouring coffee slowly (line 18 paragraph 4). George use to think of her because he looked to see her everyday when she passed the window (line 26). I also felt that George wanted someone to share his love with. I think Lola found George attracted she got his number from George friend (page 138 Paragraph 8 line2). When she received the call she was excited to hear from him and wanted to know when he would visit her. She knew that George was not the most perfect guy but she like his qualities and hard working. She knew he was someone you could spend the rest of your life with. Lola and George both wanted someone in their life to close the gap in their life. George was lonely because he was far away from family and friends and Lola was lonely because her husband was in the war. He was badly hurt in the war (page 139 paragraph 18). They both needed someone to hold then especially Lola knowing that her husband could not fulfill her needs even though she respected her husband (page 139).
ReplyDeleteI think the winter played some points but I think they both cared for each other. I think the weather did not really mattered they both needed each other. The winter weather played some role too because it was one week before Christmas (page 137). It brings a lot of excitement because it’s a time when family and friends get together. The cool weather made them just wanted to wrap up in each other arms and George came in to fill that space that was empty.
ReplyDeleteI would say yes Lola and George were attracted to one another because in the story have various evidence that they were noticing each others. On page 137 - Gorge watched carefully one girl everyday at noon hour..... George wished earnestly that she had never seen him there in the restaurant behind the counter.... When she went out the door to walk up and down for a few minutes, an agreeable expression on her face....George following her with his eyes while pouring coffee slowly...... George used to think of her because of seeing her every day and looking at her face in profile when she passed the window. These are all evidence that they were both attracted to each others but might be shy to approach each others. The winter setting serve as a catalyst because it is human behavior thay during this time "Christmas" we would symbolize it as the time to be with your love ones. So they were both lonely and longing for someone
ReplyDeleteEncarnita Bennett - I disagree with Ms August's point of view about George and Lola not being attracted to each other. In my view George and Lola were both attracted to each other even if it was just for a moment. As stated on page 139, George said "you didn't give me much time", Lola's response was "you're a lovely boy, kiss me". I believe that Lola was lonely and since it was Christmas time, and since it was cold she was just seeking love and affection that her husband wouldn't have been able to give to her due to his illness.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand I tend to agree with Spari's view that they were attracted to each other simply because neither of them were affectionately involved with no else at the time. Furthermore, Lola was a faithful wife due to the fact that she was honest enough to tell George that she was married.
I strongly believe that both George and Lola was attracted to each other (page 137) George watched carefully one girl.... He felt that they could bring steam in each other life not knowing the longing Lola have for him. Lola was a bit shy at first but she realize that she need to fulfill her sexual pleasure and it certainly couldn't be with her husband. at least she would like to be close to someone feeling the warm body temperature of the opposite sex. On page 138 She had on a red.. signified that she was feeling sexy and would like to attract George. It might also mean that she wasn't going any further than kiss George but I believe the outfit meant a lot in the sense of being sexy, beautiful and showing her curves. In my point of view she was unfaithful to her husband because she never had her ring on at that point, he told George that it was her friend who was coming home and not her husband.
ReplyDeleteI think they were attracted to each other even thou both of them were shy (on page 138). I strongly agree with Marika comments where by Lola needed to fulfill her emotions since her husband was unable to please her sexual desire. Why? because the temperature was cold and she needed to be cuddled.In the other hand loved the attention given by Lola, but he was to shy to make the first move maybe because he felt that she was too much for him and felt that she would rejected him.
ReplyDeleteI think that they were attracted to one another, but were unsure whether they should display their feelings to each other. One the other hand, Lola did not immediately show her feelings towards George until the ending of the story. It was also where( as we were reading the story) we found out that Lola was married. Instead of telling George from earlier, she interrupted the moment by saying her friend Irene was coming home. The writer lets us know because Lola was the person that called George at his work place, telling him to come over to her house. George also admired Lola and waited to see her on the days that she would come in.
ReplyDeleteI agree with George's comment. George, from the short story, was not a very attractive man and for him to catch the attention of Lola was unbelievable, even for him to be invited to her house! Let was remind ourselves that Lola supposedly had a husband that was incapable of doing his husbandly duties, so unless we have been in her shoes, then we probably would have done the same thing she did, I"m talking bout the ladies ok.