Essay Questions

How would you explain, psychoanalytically, the woman who Oliveira visualizes in the course of driving? - “Life on Grimsey Island”

Vasquez explains, "There would be a woman. Oliveira would look at her every once in a while and think: You are her. I've chosen you. You've chosen me. But that woman didn't have a face, and wasn't expecting him, and could not know that her life, in that instant, was beginning to be different because Oliveira was traveling toward her." Psychoanalytically, Vasquez speculates that he will find a new woman who will erase Agatha's memories. The faceless woman is representative of Oliveira's desire to suppress the image of Agatha so that he would not remember her when he is with a new woman. The encounter with Agatha affects Oliveira significantly due to its disastrous culmination. Oliveira is utterly heartbroken; hence, he yearns for a new beginning with another woman whom he is yet to know or encounter.

Which fallacy does Gibert use when justifying his disapproval of Philippe? - “Hiding Places"

Gibert says, “I’m going to tell you something sad…Philippe’s not goof for my daughter. I mean, he’s a good man but he has problems…His father’s is a drunk…His sister’s husband beats her up all the time…And him, with his first wife, all that…Anyway, it’s all a big mess.” Gibert employs a faulty correlation fallacy by alluding that the problems in Philippe's family would cause problems in their lives. The fallacy ignores the reality that Philippe strives to secure Claire from the problems of his family for he regards her as his ole ' hiding place.' Moreover, the argument has overtones of a hasty generalization, which insinuates that since Philippe's family members have difficult lives, his matrimony with Claire will be messy as well.