“If someone loves you for what you can do then it’s flattering, but why do they love you? If someone loves you for who you are then they have to know you, which means you have to know them.” -Roxanne Coss
Explain what Roxanne means by this statement and how it relates to chapter 7. Explain the different feelings that the different men have for Roxanne. Which ones do you think are the most meaningful?
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I think by this Roxane is conveying a "I know and love one person here already and I am content with that" sort of vibe. That and she doesn't seem interested in knowing any of the other men because she knows they only "love" her because of her talent. The language barrier between them all makes it pretty clear that the people of the house don't know each other very well simply because they aren't fully able to communicate. Roxane doesn't want to be known and loved just for her amazing singing, because there's more to a person than that.
ReplyDeleteAll the feelings that the men in the house feel for Roxane are very similar. They're calmed, reassured, and in awe with her talented voice, which makes them feel as though they love her. Fyodorov, one of the Russians, even works up the nerves to express his love and admiration to her. In my opinion, the only man that has a different feeling for her in Mr. Hosokawa. Even though there is the difficulties of language standing in their way, Mr. Hosokawa and Roxane still manage to "know" one another. They have a special way of communicating that no one else has, making their relationship very special. I think that relationship is what she refers to in her quote. She knows Mr. Hosokawa and he knows her, which makes the love they have for each other seem possible, to her at least.
I think basically she is saying that if someone wants to set a relationship with someone else that he/she loves, he/she should know who their lover is, not what he/she can do. That explained what love is for me. You have to get to know someone when you are falling in love with he/she is or else it could not be called "love", it would simply be a love in their appreances and their behaviors. Roxane says this because she knows that there are a lot of people falling in love with her because of her singing and beautiful appearance. She just does not like that in her mind although she appreciates their love.
ReplyDeleteThat Russian Simon was trying to talk to Roxane to say that he is in love with her. And he fooled Gen by telling him that he wants to discuss about music with Roxane. It was not completely off the topic in the conversation but Gen was still irritated when he finally knew what the whole story was about. Simon has the simplist desire for Roxane because he loves her apprearance and singing and certainly that was not accepted at all. It seems like Roxane is just bored about that.
Messner also has some abnormal thoughts to Roxane. He feels in heaven when he does some small things to Roxane and listen to the "Thank you" that Roxane would say to him, even though it's not for personally.
Roxane has the strongest relationship with Mr. Hosokawa as we can tell. Moreover, when she was saying "If someone loves you for what you can do then it’s flattering, but why do they love you? If someone loves you for who you are then they have to know you, which means you have to know them.", only Hosokawa fits this criteria. They talk when Gen is there and they look at each other when Gen is not there. Roxane even go to see Hosokawa play chess and that leads him to look at Roxane to much and cannot focus on the chess. They certainly have this kind of relationship that would become love.
Roxanne Coss knows what shes talking about. "She's seen it all" all the tricks and flattery, the comments men make about her beauty and her voice but she's wise. Love isnt really love unless you know what you are loving, who, how etc,you need to have a mutual bond based on whats really there. In some relationships you have two people that are attracted to eachother and like things about eachother but is that love? i'll speak for myself when i say that i couldnt love som one that wasnt there for me atleast 75% of the time (because nobodys perfect). They would need to be somone i knew for real to make the feelings i have for them certain and legit. Many men have approached roxanne hoping for i date im sure but no ones going to fall in love on the first date. Hosakawa and her have a special chemistry because he's less of a persuer and more of an admirer. whitch can be a compliment because thats sends a message of "id like to get to know you first" (kind of as a friend) and then ill buy you dinner.
ReplyDeleteThis quote simply describes the feelings she has for Mr. Hosokawa. Everyone else has only loved her for “what she can do”, her beauty and voice. But it seems she has a deeper connection to Mr. Hosokawa because he loves her for who she is. To achieve this level of love, takes patience and time, which both characters have put in more than anyone else. Mr. Hosokawa is patient with Roxane, waiting until mid-day after her singing, to talk with her. Likewise, Roxane waits to see him. Both are still in need of Gen for verbal translation, but its obvious Roxane and Mr. Hosokawa love each other. This relationship is most meaningful because it contains something universal, in need of no translation.
ReplyDeleteA new crop of men have convinced themselves that they too are in love with Coss. Fyodorov finally works up the confidence to talk to Roxane. Even though Gen seems uncomfortable in the situation, Roxane is polite to Fyodorov who becomes less confident and sweatier. I feel as if Fyodorov is like the accompanist, confessing his love and Roxane is indifferent to it. At the end of chapter 7, Cesar thinks he is in love with Roxane. But like Roxane said, he “loves her for what she can do.”
This quote is Roxane's "seasoned veteran" approach to the Russian's love confession. She has known many people who loved her for her voice and understands and tolerates it, but does not love them back. Almost all of the men who encounter Roxane are overwhelmed by her in some way or another, they are taken by her glowing "famous" attitude and her voice. Even Messner goes weak in the knees when Roxane takes his arm. It seems that all of the men, young terrorists included, have considered love for Roxane, except for Gen.
ReplyDeleteThis quote in relation to Gen and Carmen's new-found love points out a few things. Gen, as Carmen's teacher, is using his talent to help her. She seems to admire his talent, but we do not get the impression that the love she feels is insincere or selfishly motivated. Gen is Carmen's hostage, and his love for her could easily be to gain special rights or just make sure that one of the terrorists wouldn't shoot him, but once again we get the impression of sincere, though somewhat naive, love.
Hosokawa and Roxane seemed to have gained an understanding of one another, and it seems that they may love each other. This love, like Gen and Carmen's, seems not to be motivated by an appreciation for what the other can do, but by a sincere appreciation for who the other is.
“If someone loves you for what you can do then it’s flattering, but why do they love you? If someone loves you for who you are then they have to know you, which means you have to know them.” This quote, by Roxane Cross on page 124 of the novel, is very insightful as well as highly relevant to her position.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 7, a Russian man names Fyodorov announces his love for Roxane, telling her that he loves her and is a very worth person to love her. Roxane is just bothered by this, not really caring about the person or the intent of the statement. Roxane is used to this kind of situation, as almost every man that she meets falls in love with her. Roxane, as displayed by the quote, knows that these men love her for what she can do and obviously do not really know her true self. Also, Roxane knows that she can’t possibly have feelings for any such people, as she doesn’t know them in return.
Almost all of the men in the book think that they love Roxane. Fyodorov, as previously described is even bold enough to approach her, which cannot be said for man of the others. The priests, as well as many other characters claim their love for her throughout the first hundred pages of the book. Mr. Hosokawa’s love for Roxane is much more meaningful and real than any of the others, as he had wordlessly gotten to know her and her inner beauty. In this manner, Roxane has also gotten to know Mr. Hosokawa and is able to have strong feelings for him, certainly not for his talent. It is clear that Roxane and Mr. Hosokawa have a very strong connection, that holds even despite their lack of spoken communication.
I believe Roxanne think that other people love her because of her voice, but the quote she said it was more to Mr. Hosokawa. He loves her for the way she is, but what she good at. Most men in the house they all think that they were in love wit Roxanne, but the truth is her talent, beautiful voice.
ReplyDeleteThe Russian guy named Fyodorov told her that he loves, but I think she think he just like the other men in the house, not loving for who she is.
Mr.hosokawa and Roxanne truly like each other the way they are.
This quote is a fitting explanation for the draw people have towards talent and the obsession with unrealistic expectations that often overcome a person in love. In this case the harsh and close environment confuses people with their emotions. Roxane pushes people to feel something her voice and talent draw people to her. In this high stress situation the joy and emotion draw people to her and as the days go by these feelings become more intense. A perfect example of this is Fydorov a Russian man who after an intense struggle with himself reveals his love to Roxane. Although he feels that all he truly wants is to give her the gift of his love he has no desire for anything in return.
ReplyDeleteThe only expeption to the love of talent would be Mister Hosokawa. Roxane seems to return his feelings as we see in chapter seven where a relationship is obviously begining. Within the story there are three solid examples of love. The first we see imediatley it is the love Thiabault has for his wife he treasures her scarf holding it with his at all times and weeping for her absence. The second example is Carmen and the translator Gen they meet nightly in the china closet although their relationship must be kept a secret from all those around them. Finally Mister Hosokawa and Roxane the most recent of the three however it is also the most critical to the plots development
In chapter 7 Roxanne divulges into her thoughts of what she's feeling towards Hosokawa, and vise versa. She understands and appreciates how people like Messner have love for her, but she knows it is not a matter of admirable intellect or super-human personality that supports this passion. But instead it is the love between a fan and their entertainer, one that is distant and impersonal. This is why she takes the time to contemplate to herself if Hosokawa loves her in a connected way. It is obvious that they have deep connecting roots that make them attract, but I believe that it's that deep understanding of another person that really makes it love. It is her understanding of this fact that she comes to recognize the true love that she and Hosokawa share.
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