Rumination Fugue Publication Rumination Fugue Publication | Page 29

In the book The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, Aimee Bender told a family story. The book is full of exquisite language and desolation. The family seems harmonious and warm, but it’s on the edge of disintegration. The main character Joseph has the ability to change himself into a furniture. Joseph appears as a loner in the book. His behavior and characteristics imply that he has suffered mental abuse from his “happy family.” Neglect At the beginning of the book, Joseph’s parents behaved as the most caring people. “And the sunlit kitchen and my warm-eyed mother were welcome arms, open.” (Aimee, 8) “Mom hugged him like he’d been gone for a year.” (Aimee, 15) The depiction of Joseph builds a vivid contrast to mom’s behavior. The image of Joseph begins with gloom and silence. The book is written in the first person by Joseph's sister rose, the heroine. There is not enough positive description of Joseph. But according to his family members, one can still find out his feature. “But Joseph held himself still, like everything was pelting him.” (Aimee, 19) According to rose's initial portrayal of Joseph, Joseph appears to be an outsider. Coincidentally, this trait was also present in Joseph's father. Rose described her father as a person who “didn’t really know what to do with little kids”. “So he never taught us how to ride a bike, or wear a mitt, and our changes in height remained unmarked on the door frames.” (Aimee, 22) Joseph and Rose grew up “without proof”. Their father did his job: to give life to his children. However, he forgot to perform his duty: taking care of his children. Father's behavior is a kind of neglect of his children. He gave them life, but he forgets he also plays an important role in their growth. His neglect seems also pass to his child Joseph. “Joseph smiled at no one.” (Aimee, 34) He behaved like a person who has difficulties on communicating. His action is an evasive attitude towards his environment. At the end of the story, Joseph admits that he could change into furniture. “No, he said. I don’t know anything, while I’m away.” (Aimee, 207) When he used his powers, he was completely cut off from the world. His ability is also a symbol of escape. He tried to escape from the ignorance from his family.