Ham on Rye
question
Becker = Alter-Ego of Henry Chinaski?
Cindy
Feb 19, 2014 02:42PM
Am I the only one who thinks that Robert Becker was perhaps, what Charles Bukowski wishes he could be, or the Nabokov's "Clare Quilty" to Bukowski's Henry Chinaski?
After reading the book, it dawned on me that Becker was the only friend on Henry's level (or so he decided)- the only person he regarded as talented and understood him. They exchange ideas, conflicts, and fist-fights, culminating with Henry sending Becker off to war-- enlisting in the Marines seems the opposite of what Henry would do, perhaps the most "anti-punk" thing to do. Still, Henry seems to accept and even admire Becker's talent and interests, even in his selling out, and it seems to me that Becker represents what Henry could have, and should have been.
Might be bit of a stretch to read into it that way, but I can't help but feel like it was intentional. Anyone else agree?
After reading the book, it dawned on me that Becker was the only friend on Henry's level (or so he decided)- the only person he regarded as talented and understood him. They exchange ideas, conflicts, and fist-fights, culminating with Henry sending Becker off to war-- enlisting in the Marines seems the opposite of what Henry would do, perhaps the most "anti-punk" thing to do. Still, Henry seems to accept and even admire Becker's talent and interests, even in his selling out, and it seems to me that Becker represents what Henry could have, and should have been.
Might be bit of a stretch to read into it that way, but I can't help but feel like it was intentional. Anyone else agree?
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cant confirm nor deny.
in alot of his poems he mentions a similar buddy who said " half of what u say bukowski is bullshit". perhaps it is his alter-ego. i think the same guy wrote better than buk and went to ww2 and died. who knows
in alot of his poems he mentions a similar buddy who said " half of what u say bukowski is bullshit". perhaps it is his alter-ego. i think the same guy wrote better than buk and went to ww2 and died. who knows
I had the same feeling. Becker is somebody Bukowski wishes he was.
Sometimes I think, speaking of Bukowski's wishes, that his inability to be satisfied, by women, by the track, by booze, by anything at all, is what made him who he was. But that's rather obvious, isn't it? I can probably say this more clearly. I think it's the constant friction between his desire for happiness and his derision for it that created his art. "Love Is A Dog From Hell." Ha! I remember laughing out loud when I first saw that in the bookstore. I'm sort of missing the tie to Quilty, though? I maybe get the co-conspirators concept of the two characters, but after that I'm probably not remembering enough to make the connection? There was an angry affection, admiration between him and Becker, and ... oh, maybe because Quilty, HH thought, understood him? Even though they were rivals? And HH desperately wanted to be understood on his own terms?
Looking back at Bukowski, though, I have to say, selfishly, that I'm glad no one ever domesticated him.
Interesting.
Looking back at Bukowski, though, I have to say, selfishly, that I'm glad no one ever domesticated him.
Interesting.
Becker was a guy named Robert Baume. He died in WW II I guess.
It's in one of Bukowski's poem called Self-Inflicted wounds. I read it on some forum.
It's in one of Bukowski's poem called Self-Inflicted wounds. I read it on some forum.
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