Sputnik Sweetheart
question
The story of the shoplifting boy and the key
Grace
Jun 27, 2013 07:08PM
I'm puzzled by the mentions of the pupil who repeatedly stole from a local shop as well as the drawer key for store room. And in the end K threw the key into the small river.
And it said "I took the key and held it in my palm and could feel the weight of the countless people that had seeped into it. It struck me as terribly wretched, dirty, small-minded. Flustered for a moment, I ended up dropping the key into the river."
What do the boy and the key symbolize here? K seems to have been hit by an epiphany or something. But what is that?
Feel free to drop what you think here.
And it said "I took the key and held it in my palm and could feel the weight of the countless people that had seeped into it. It struck me as terribly wretched, dirty, small-minded. Flustered for a moment, I ended up dropping the key into the river."
What do the boy and the key symbolize here? K seems to have been hit by an epiphany or something. But what is that?
Feel free to drop what you think here.
reply
flag
I don't know for sure, I was puzzled by this as well.
My conclusion was that the key represented all of the impersonal, cold interactions people have, when what so many are looking for is some sort of acceptance or understanding or connection. I think this is why the boy was stealing.
The security guard didn't "have time" to talk with the boy and find out why he was doing this. He openly mocked K. for thinking he could do so, as well as the entire worldview that anyone should. But then, K. is essentially right.
In the same manner, we can be sure the security guard's boss will also not find his excuses for the missing key to be tolerated as well. It's a chain that's passed from one person to the next, solidifying our isolation from one another.
I think K. throwing the key in the river signified to the boy that he didn't have the same rote reactions and disregard as the other adults in his life, that he was no longer a person who would so easily disregard others and be a part of that system. The kind of person who could sleep with his mother and not even think about the potential consequences.
This was just my personal take. i would love to hear everyone else's interpretation of this event.
My conclusion was that the key represented all of the impersonal, cold interactions people have, when what so many are looking for is some sort of acceptance or understanding or connection. I think this is why the boy was stealing.
The security guard didn't "have time" to talk with the boy and find out why he was doing this. He openly mocked K. for thinking he could do so, as well as the entire worldview that anyone should. But then, K. is essentially right.
In the same manner, we can be sure the security guard's boss will also not find his excuses for the missing key to be tolerated as well. It's a chain that's passed from one person to the next, solidifying our isolation from one another.
I think K. throwing the key in the river signified to the boy that he didn't have the same rote reactions and disregard as the other adults in his life, that he was no longer a person who would so easily disregard others and be a part of that system. The kind of person who could sleep with his mother and not even think about the potential consequences.
This was just my personal take. i would love to hear everyone else's interpretation of this event.
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic
