The swimming pool is a space that is significant to the relationship between Hanna and Michael. Bernhard Schlink shows this significance through the reaction of Michael when he sees Hanna by the pool and the thoughts he has.
Michael likes to see Hanna due to his lust for her, however when she appeared by the pool Michael didn't react as though he had this lust for her. Hanna was wearing an "open blouse knotted at the waist" this shows that she is wearing things that is very revealing and would often cause Michael to be lustful. Instead he "didn't jump to (his) feet to run to her" which contradicts to how he would normally act and therefore this shows how Michael is not lustful when he is in the pool or this space. Bernhard Schlink used this space to show that not only is Hanna uncomfortable with the age difference and finds it awkward but also that Michael finds it awkward as well.
Michael hesitates when he sees Hanna by the pool which shows that he is unsure or uncomfortable with Hanna being in his space. This is shown when he thinks of "did she want to be seen with me" and "did i want to be seen with her". This shows that Michael does not understand the reason for her being by the pool and the reason he was hesitating on whether he wanted to be seen with her. Furthermore he does not think whether he "wants to see her" but rather whether he "wants to be seen with her" which shows that there is an awkwardness between their relationship for them being seen together. Bernhard Schlink uses this to show how the age difference in their relationship causes the two of them to think of how other people will think of them and how their relationship is not strong enough for them to be seen together in other spaces.
Sho,
ReplyDeleteYou've shown some insight into the use of the pool as a space here - and you are right to discuss the hesitation Michael feels when he sees her (and also to point out that perhaps it is mainly lust that Michael feels).
Why, though, do you think Schlink would want to focus on such things? What purpose does it serve in the novel to question whether they are both embarrassed to be seen in public with each other?