Heartbroken or The Misery Chick?
No doubt that Ruby writes an awful lot about the misery of her failed romances. But is that obsession the result of truly being emotional upset or is there a weird sort of reverse enjoyment in being the misery chick? Her therapist is not even sure.
“I am not wedded to my heartbreak,” I said. “I hate my heartbreak. I hate it.” I was almost crying. “I am just heartbroken,” I said. “There’s nothing I can do about it.”
Her Mom Is Sure
On the other hand, Ruby’s mom does not seem to have much confusion over the situation. At least at one point on one issues, ambiguity takes a powder and Ruby’s mother expresses what doubtlessly is probably a shared point of view.
“Ruby’s being a drama queen about this thing with Noel what’shisname.”
Gay Chinese Penguins
Of all the different wild metaphors that pop up throughout the narrative, the gay Chinese penguin may be the most unique. Or, then again, maybe not. But it definitely is the one that takes the longest to explain. Suffice to say that Ruby’s self-commentary is not as absurd as it sounds out of context:
“I’m the gay Chinese penguins,” I said. “That’s the point…I’m sorry I’m a gay Chinese penguin.”
Limited Perspective
Above all else, remember this about the book. Ruby is a dazzling narrator, but it is a story that is centered around people with a very limited perspective on the world based on very limited experience. The philosophical expressions, therefore, should be taken with a grain of salt and not as pure gospel. For instance, with limited perspective, it is sometimes easy to confuse a mere act of kindness or charity with love. Which is never a good thing to do.
“Love is when you have a really amazing piece of cake, and it’s the very last piece, but you let him have it.”
What Is Friendship?
The question is posed to several characters. What is learned from the question is not really what friendship is, since, after all, we all know. What is learned that what we all know friendship depends upon on our perspective. The metaphorical imagery is not the point of asking a question such as this; it is all about the context of who forming the imagery.
“My dad says it’s something that gets in the way of a business deal”
“my brother Claude says friendship is a method of castration that doesn’t use a sharp object”
“friendship is a word girls use when they want to turn down guys.”
“That’s what friendship is, Ruby. Apologizing when you know you should.”
