Commentary on Impossible Object
Commentary on Impossible Object (Nicholas Mosley)
Tara Singh
12/3/12
English
Grade 12
In Nocholas Mosley’s prose piece Impossible Object he depicts the life of a Hippolyta a mother of one child who is separated from her husband.
Mosley’s depiction of Rome as a city, along with his depiction of Hippolyta herself and her relationship with her husband and child illustrates his main idea of happiness and love being unattainable for an affluent member of society.
Hippolyta:
1) The opening sentence of the prose piece introduces Hippolyta “overlooking the Borghese gardens.”
a. This image sets up an atmosphere of regality where Hippolyta is described to look over gardens that are something natural and beautiful. This image sets up the contrast to Hippolyta’s life, which is not very natural or beautiful in that we later find out she is separated from her husband. Following this sentence is the introduction of wealth “Hippolyta was rich.”
b. Hippolyta is described as a “large, thin” girl with eyes “half closed” and “hands pushing behind her as if she was in a gale.” The descriptions of her eyes portray her as if she is not awake, or for that matter close to being dead.
i. Her arms pushing behind her depict the stance of an authoritative figure. This displays a contrast between her and her husband.
c. Right after Mosley depicts her physical appearance he then introduces her husband who is an “Italian Aristocrat.” This immediate reference to money continues the theme of wealth.
d. When the author describes the frenzy that Hippolyta works herself up into she first describes her somewhat barbaric when he says, “she would hit her fist against her body like a parachutist searching for a failed ripcord.”
i. This presents a stark contrast between her lavish lifestyle that is uncovered. The simile of the parachutist helps depict the fact that Hippolyta is not only confused but she is also on her way to self-destruction. A parachutist with a failed ripcord
Tara Singh
12/3/12
English
Grade 12
In Nocholas Mosley’s prose piece Impossible Object he depicts the life of a Hippolyta a mother of one child who is separated from her husband.
Mosley’s depiction of Rome as a city, along with his depiction of Hippolyta herself and her relationship with her husband and child illustrates his main idea of happiness and love being unattainable for an affluent member of society.
Hippolyta:
1) The opening sentence of the prose piece introduces Hippolyta “overlooking the Borghese gardens.”
a. This image sets up an atmosphere of regality where Hippolyta is described to look over gardens that are something natural and beautiful. This image sets up the contrast to Hippolyta’s life, which is not very natural or beautiful in that we later find out she is separated from her husband. Following this sentence is the introduction of wealth “Hippolyta was rich.”
b. Hippolyta is described as a “large, thin” girl with eyes “half closed” and “hands pushing behind her as if she was in a gale.” The descriptions of her eyes portray her as if she is not awake, or for that matter close to being dead.
i. Her arms pushing behind her depict the stance of an authoritative figure. This displays a contrast between her and her husband.
c. Right after Mosley depicts her physical appearance he then introduces her husband who is an “Italian Aristocrat.” This immediate reference to money continues the theme of wealth.
d. When the author describes the frenzy that Hippolyta works herself up into she first describes her somewhat barbaric when he says, “she would hit her fist against her body like a parachutist searching for a failed ripcord.”
i. This presents a stark contrast between her lavish lifestyle that is uncovered. The simile of the parachutist helps depict the fact that Hippolyta is not only confused but she is also on her way to self-destruction. A parachutist with a failed ripcord