The Kugelmass Episode
Phan 1
Christine Phan
Dr. deGravelles
Block 1
12 December, 2012
Desire and Satisfaction in "The Kugelmass Episode"
In "The Kugelmass Episode," Woody Allen describes Kugelmass using indirect characterizations of how he risks his marriage and career because of his deep desire for a freelance affair with an outside lover, which represents Kugelmass ' inability to differentiate right from wrong. This demonstrates humanity and their innate characteristics. The author uses Kugelmass, who is quick to the idea of contemplating suicide due to his paranoia of his wife finding out about his discreet relationship, to emphasize the common theme flowing throughout the story: desire eventually brings forth satisfaction in our society, but having satisfaction leads to more desire with the cycle being continuous. The aspect of Kugelmass ' deceitful character brings him to become distant to his wife and to start over with a different life.
The narrator of this story presents a solid understanding of Kugelmass ' thoughts in "The Kugelmass Episode." Being third person omniscient, Woody Allen, the author, also incorporates Kugelmass ' narration throughout sections in the story. Therefore, the audience is not able to be aware of what the other characters are thinking, because the narrator 's point of view interprets only his and Kugelmass 's thoughts.
The lack of trust between Kugelmass and his wife influences Kugelmass to have a hidden relationship with another woman. "And also this affair must be discreet," Kugelmass continued. "I can 't afford a second divorce" (1). The narrator of this story shows how most people cannot differentiate what is right and what is wrong. Kugelmass says, "My God, I 'm doing it with Madame Bovary!" (4). He makes love with a stranger, even though he knows there is a wife waiting for him at home. "The Kugelmass Episode" presents to readers how recognizing right from wrong has been difficult since the beginning of time, as seen in the story of the
Christine Phan
Dr. deGravelles
Block 1
12 December, 2012
Desire and Satisfaction in "The Kugelmass Episode"
In "The Kugelmass Episode," Woody Allen describes Kugelmass using indirect characterizations of how he risks his marriage and career because of his deep desire for a freelance affair with an outside lover, which represents Kugelmass ' inability to differentiate right from wrong. This demonstrates humanity and their innate characteristics. The author uses Kugelmass, who is quick to the idea of contemplating suicide due to his paranoia of his wife finding out about his discreet relationship, to emphasize the common theme flowing throughout the story: desire eventually brings forth satisfaction in our society, but having satisfaction leads to more desire with the cycle being continuous. The aspect of Kugelmass ' deceitful character brings him to become distant to his wife and to start over with a different life.
The narrator of this story presents a solid understanding of Kugelmass ' thoughts in "The Kugelmass Episode." Being third person omniscient, Woody Allen, the author, also incorporates Kugelmass ' narration throughout sections in the story. Therefore, the audience is not able to be aware of what the other characters are thinking, because the narrator 's point of view interprets only his and Kugelmass 's thoughts.
The lack of trust between Kugelmass and his wife influences Kugelmass to have a hidden relationship with another woman. "And also this affair must be discreet," Kugelmass continued. "I can 't afford a second divorce" (1). The narrator of this story shows how most people cannot differentiate what is right and what is wrong. Kugelmass says, "My God, I 'm doing it with Madame Bovary!" (4). He makes love with a stranger, even though he knows there is a wife waiting for him at home. "The Kugelmass Episode" presents to readers how recognizing right from wrong has been difficult since the beginning of time, as seen in the story of the
Cited: Allen, Woody. "Dry September." _English I_. Ed. Edwards and deGravelles. San Diego, CA: University Readers, 2012. 1-8. Print.