W14 Close Reading of Tales of the City
This is wrapping up the first piece of the series and collecting the characters together again. Edgar, DeDe’s father and Beauchamp’s father in-law, throughout the story has been seeing “Anna.” Anna happens to also be Mrs.Madrigal, who’s initials were A.M. and was investigated by Norman, at least until he died. Edgar and DeDe are quite pleased by the baby, but Beauchamp is miffed and uncomfortable still, and he found out earlier from Jon, who refused outings with him because he had a pregnant wife.
I felt that it really puts an emphasis on how the characters lives come together with the suggestion of the baby name. No one besides Edgar Halycon and Anna Madrigal and then Norman knew about their fling together, despite Edgar being married to his wife Frannie. Both of them knew they couldn’t actually be together and never escalated, but spent many emotional and venting moments together throughout the story. Requesting to name the baby after her shows how much an impact she has on him. Perhaps after the baby is born, in the next book, some other characters make make a connection, specifically the residents of Barbary Lane, where Anna Madrigal is the landlord. It really makes me curious about reading the next in the series, and it left it open, but also concluded at the same time.
“‘Daddy... we’re going to make you a grandfather.’
Silence.
‘Did you hear me, Daddy?’
Edgar smiled. ‘I heard.’
‘Aren’t you glad?’
He lifted his hand feebly. ‘Could you... show me?’
‘She’s so small.’ DeDe stood up, taking his hand, pressing it gently against her belly. ‘I don’t think you can feel...’
‘No. I can feel her. You think it’s a girl, huh?’
‘Yes.’
‘So do I. Have you picked out a name yet?’
‘No. Not yet.’
‘Name her Anna, will you?’
‘Anna?’
‘I’ve...always liked the name.’
I felt that it really puts an emphasis on how the characters lives come together with the suggestion of the baby name. No one besides Edgar Halycon and Anna Madrigal and then Norman knew about their fling together, despite Edgar being married to his wife Frannie. Both of them knew they couldn’t actually be together and never escalated, but spent many emotional and venting moments together throughout the story. Requesting to name the baby after her shows how much an impact she has on him. Perhaps after the baby is born, in the next book, some other characters make make a connection, specifically the residents of Barbary Lane, where Anna Madrigal is the landlord. It really makes me curious about reading the next in the series, and it left it open, but also concluded at the same time.
“‘Daddy... we’re going to make you a grandfather.’
Silence.
‘Did you hear me, Daddy?’
Edgar smiled. ‘I heard.’
‘Aren’t you glad?’
He lifted his hand feebly. ‘Could you... show me?’
‘She’s so small.’ DeDe stood up, taking his hand, pressing it gently against her belly. ‘I don’t think you can feel...’
‘No. I can feel her. You think it’s a girl, huh?’
‘Yes.’
‘So do I. Have you picked out a name yet?’
‘No. Not yet.’
‘Name her Anna, will you?’
‘Anna?’
‘I’ve...always liked the name.’
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteThis is a pretty powerful passage you have written about. I find it pretty romantic, but also sad in a way. Romantic in that Edgar wants his granddaughter named after the love of his life, but also sad that he was married to another woman, and not the love of his life. It is not only sad for Edgar's wife, but also for Edgar, who had to spend his life with someone he did not love. Great passage, thanks for your submission!