Nervous Condition Essay Example

Nervous Condition Essay Example Nervous Condition Essay Nervous Condition Essay In what ways is it helpful to think of Nervous Conditions as a novel about different kinds of independence? Or (b) Comment closely on the following passage, focusing on the presentation of Tatums early responses to Bankrupts household. Feeling clean and warm and expansive, I ran Nauseas bath. She thanked me most graciously for this favor, and so we were able to stop quarrelling. All the same, I did not feel up to confessing that I had not known what bedclothes were, but it did not matter. Observing what Nash was wearing I found something similar in my suitcase. These, then, were the bedclothes. I made my bed, folding the bedclothes neatly at its foot. When I was dressed I admired myself in the mirror. I looked better in that uniform than I had ever looked before, even though it was blue (which I now know does not suit my complexion) and had angular four-inch pleats down the front. It was a shock to see that in fact I was pretty, and also difficult to believe, making it necessary for me to scrutinize myself for a long time, from all angles and in many different positions, to verify the suspicion. Nash, returning from her bath, caught me at it and did not allow me to be embarrassed. Generously, sincerely, she confirmed my own impressions. Not bad, she agreed, standing beside me to observe my reflection. Not bad at all. Youve got a waist. One of these days youll have a bust. Pity about the backside, she continued, slapping it playfully as she turned away. Its rather large. Still, if you can look good in that old gym-dress, youll look good in anything. I was flattered by everything she said and did, the examination, the approval, the teasing. Any attention from Nash, who did not often attend to things other than the excursions and forays of her unplaced mind, was enough to make me tingle with leisure. I came close to being infatuated with myself. Thinking back to my maize field, I was convinced for a moment that my present propitious circumstances were entirely of my own making. At breakfast the food would not go down. My throat constricted more tightly with each mouthful I tried to swallow, so impatient was I to be at school, where I was sure I would breeze through the whole syllabus in a single morning. It was innervating. Watching Nash work her way daintily through egg and bacon and tea, having declined the porridge and toast because too much food would make her fat, I saw yeses walking into the classroom late and conspicuous on my first day. But the siren did not wail and while Nash ate I found time to be impressed by these relatives of mine who ate meat, and not only meat, but meat and eggs for breakfast. As for roasting bread before you ate it, as if it had not already been baked, well, yesterday I would have been surprised, but today I was aware that all things were possible. Maximum fussed around me, clucking concern over my lack of appetite. Eat, my child, eat, she urged. Otherwise youll be so famished you wont hear a word the teacher says. What do you like to eat? He asked. Shall we find you razzed for your porridge? Im glad Im only your daughter, observed Nash. Youd easily kill your nieces with But shell get hungry! fluttered my aunt. Shes probably dieting because I told her her bottom is fat. Go on with you, lovely- dove! Isis Thumb isnt fat. Dont worry about Nauseas little ways, she advised me unnecessarily, because at that moment I had no intention of worrying about anything except school, especially things that did not make sense. Little ways, commented Nash. Little ways. Now, I wonder. Whos got little ways? Chapter 5