Emny Moghrabi
Suyu Chen
The Role of Sexual Relationships in De Niro’s Game by Rawi Hage
Bassam and Rhea
1. Rhea has a strange obsession with George that is all consuming, although she has never actually met George.
2. Bassam and Rhea’s relationship seems to revolve around George. Rhea constantly asks questions of George to the point where it would irritate a normal person but Bassam does not seem to mind and in some cases goes out of his way to tell her stories. Both use George as a way to fill their emptiness.
3. They quickly transition from strangers to lovers. There is a strangeness to their relationship as Rhea tells Bassam that she only slept with him because she felt bad for him and he was the closest thing to her as a brother. The only common topic and care they have is George, so they use sex as a means to consolidate their connection and keep the memory of George alive.
4. There is a close connection between family members and sex which seen through the relationship of Rhea and Bassam and can also be seen through Nabila and Bassam’s relationship. Rhea helps provide for Bassam during his time in Paris and Bassam feels the need to protect her just as her brother would have. It seems like the author draws attention to the sexual tension between the two as a way to normalize their otherwise strange relationship
The Love Triangle: George, Nicole, and Laurent
1. After travelling and living a fast and dangerous life outside of Lebanon, Laurent returns, only wanting to stay upon his “childhood hill” as he takes care of Nicole and gives her everything she wants.
2. Although we don't get a clear confession on Nicole's part, it is clear that she is living a life where she pursues whatever she wants. She is something of an asset to be owned and taken care of, albeit, her desire to have whatever she wants is what makes it possible for her to be comfortable in this lifestyle.
3. George is enjoying his new power and freedom, and is genuinely just pursuing both the sex, and the financial benefits that come from his association with the married couple.
Bassam and Nabila
1. Nabila is is George’s aunt, about mid-forties, a character full of meaning of mature sex appeal.
2. Bassam often passe by Nabila ‘s place looing for George and fantasies about Nabila. One day he decided to see her by excuses of seeing George, then tried to kiss her. Nabila lets him wander his lips over her neck but refuses him by gently pushing him away.
3. After Bassam is released by the christian militia, Nabila allows sexual progression between her and Bassam.
4. Bassam’s feeling to Nabila is a youth’s desire to mature feminine women, while Nabila’s feeling to him is more like maternal love.
Questions
Why does Rhea act as if Bassam is the closest thing to her as a brother and ends up sleeping with her?
Why do you think Nabila allows sexual progression between her and Bassam after he is released by the Christian militia?
Being that Nicole and Laurent’s marriage is the only “defined” relationship in the book, what do you think this suggests about other relationships that develop in the book?
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