As the reader gets a glimpse of the Donner Party, we get to
see yet another groups of characters facing challenges and attempting to
overcome them. In this particular passage we follow the story of William Eddy,
and we soon discover what a selfless, courageous man he was. He had risked his
life and done everything possible to save his family and loved ones. Although
it wasn’t easy for him to leave his family and try to get help, he knew there
was no other way. “What if the only way to save the ones you love … is to leave
them behind?” (Walter 126).
William did not want to leave his family in these dangerous
conditions, but he knew the only chance they would have to be safe again would
be for him to sacrifice his life and search for help. This idea of leaving your
loved ones comes into play throughout Pasquel’s life as well. Not only does he
leave his son, but he also leave Dee Moray. I understand his reasoning for
leaving his son, and although I do not agree with it, I understand where he is
coming from. He did not believe that Amedea’s family would approve of him as a
father, nor would he be able to take care of her. However, he did make up for
his mistake later on in his life.
However, I am unsure why Pasquel left Dee that day in Italy.
He knew he was in love with her, and he knew that she felt something too. The
way she told him they would talk about what would happen next, gave him hope
that there was something more between them, however, he got on the boat and
never even looked back to say goodbye. Why did Pasquel do this?
I agree that it seemed peculiar that Pasquale left Dee. The two seemed like they were perfect for each other, and I personally really wanted Pasquale to stay. Even Pasquale's mother wanted him to marry "the American".
ReplyDeleteI think the main reason Pasquale left Dee was because he had unfinished business to attend to. He knew that it was not right to abandon his son the way that he did. I really appreciated how he went back to Amedea's home, and made things right by marrying her and reclaiming his son back.
Also, I got the feeling throughout any chapter involving Dee and Pasquale that Pasquale felt unworthy to be in a romantic relationship with Dee. She was this beautiful American actress who had been involved in a major motion picture and spoke english, and possessed such class and grace. Pasquale on the other hand spent his entire life in Italy and now had a hotel named "Hotel Adequate View". The word adequate is a perfect way to sum up Pasquale's life; he rarely has stepped out of his comfort zone, as much as he tries he is not fluent in english and his life is just overall average. He feels inferior to Dee, and I think this is also a factor contributing to why Pasquale left Dee.
I think that Pasquale didn't say goodbye as a way to cope with the situation. It must have been extremely painful for him to leave Dee and it could have even changed his mind.
ReplyDeleteI also think that his memory of his mother on the beach persuaded him to leave Dee.
"When he returned, Pasquale's mother said, "I hope that is what you have done even if I wasn't watching yo." Pasquale wasn't sure what she meant. "Sometimes," she said, "what we want to do and what we must do are not the same." She put a hand on on his shoulder. "Pasquo, the smaller space between your desire and what is right the happier you will be,"(Walter 304)
He remembered that his mother wanted him to act with integrity, so he did as she taught him and decided that being there for his son was the right thing.