The Book of Love
The Book of Daniel 9
by Link, KellyIn this chapter of *The Book of Daniel*, the narrator reflects on the complexities of gift-giving during the holiday season, choosing not to get a present for Mr. Anabin but still thoughtfully selecting gifts for others. The narrator recalls a recent shopping trip to the dollar store, where small, fun items were purchased as stocking stuffers. Among these were playful toys and practical gifts, such as a phone charger and Scandinavian thrillers for his mother, who enjoys mystery novels set in distant places. These thoughtful choices reveal the narrator’s attention to the personalities and preferences of his loved ones.
The most meaningful gift was intended for Carousel, for whom the narrator ordered personalized items online. A thermos and a hat, both embroidered with her name, were selected with care and even gift-wrapped in case he wasn’t present when they arrived. This gesture highlights the narrator’s desire to provide comfort and a sense of belonging to Carousel, suggesting a close relationship and a wish to make the holiday season special despite uncertain circumstances.
Yet beneath these acts of generosity lies a profound sense of hunger and unease. The narrator describes an insatiable appetite that transcends physical hunger, a metaphorical craving that has persisted since before his death. This intense hunger symbolizes a deeper emotional or existential void, one so powerful that it threatens to consume him entirely, leaving only a primal, birdlike creature driven by an overwhelming need to fill himself.
The chapter concludes with the narrator’s contemplation of gifts for other significant people in his life, particularly Susannah. While he feels certain about giving Laura old photographs from their childhood, he struggles to find a suitable present for Susannah. This difficulty underscores Susannah’s complex role in his life and hints at unresolved feelings or challenges in their relationship. Ultimately, the narrator’s focus on Susannah over Mr. Anabin reveals the emotional core of the chapter, emphasizing personal connections and inner conflicts during the holiday season.
FAQs
1. What kinds of Christmas presents did Daniel choose for his family members, and what do these choices reveal about his relationships with them?
Answer:
Daniel selected thoughtful and personalized gifts for his family, reflecting his knowledge of their preferences and personalities. For Peter, he bought a Darth Vader union suit, playing on Peter’s fondness for Star Wars and their shared memories (“Daniel, I am your father”). For his mom, who frequently lost her things, he chose practical gifts like a phone charger and Scandinavian thrillers—books featuring murders in far-off places, which she enjoyed. The best present was for Carousel: a thermos and a hat with her name stitched on, showing Daniel’s care and attention to detail, even arranging for gift wrapping and delivery. These choices demonstrate Daniel’s deep affection and understanding of each person’s interests and needs.2. How does Daniel’s feeling of hunger function symbolically in the chapter, and what might it suggest about his emotional or psychological state?
Answer:
Daniel’s intense hunger, described as greater than ever before and likened to an insatiable appetite that could transform him into “appetite, wings and a beak and a gullet,” serves as a powerful metaphor. This hunger symbolizes a deep existential or emotional void—perhaps a craving for meaning, connection, or resolution. The fact that he feels as though he hasn’t eaten “since before he’d died” suggests a sense of being spiritually or emotionally starved, despite physical nourishment. This metaphor highlights Daniel’s inner turmoil and desperation, underscoring the chapter’s themes of loss, longing, and the struggle to find fulfillment.3. What does Daniel’s uncertainty about what to give Susannah reveal about their relationship or his feelings toward her?
Answer:
Daniel’s difficulty in choosing a gift for Susannah indicates a complex or unresolved aspect of their relationship. Unlike the other family members, for whom he has clear ideas and thoughtful presents, Susannah represents a “problem” and a source of anxiety. His feeling that “everything he came up with seemed inadequate” suggests he may feel disconnected, uncertain, or emotionally vulnerable regarding Susannah. This hesitation could reflect deeper issues in their relationship, such as unspoken tensions, misunderstandings, or a desire for reconciliation that he finds hard to express. It highlights Susannah’s significance in Daniel’s emotional landscape and foreshadows potential narrative developments.4. In what ways does the chapter’s setting and Daniel’s actions reflect broader themes of mortality and legacy?
Answer:
The chapter’s setting, which includes Daniel preparing gifts and reflecting on his mortality (“He wasn’t sure how much longer he would be around”), evokes themes of death, memory, and the desire to leave a meaningful legacy. Daniel’s efforts to select and personalize gifts—especially arranging for gift wrapping and timely delivery—show his wish to maintain connections and be remembered despite his uncertain future. The act of giving photos to Laura also symbolizes a transfer of memory and history, emphasizing the importance of preserving relationships beyond death. These elements underscore the human impulse to create lasting bonds and to assert one’s presence even in the face of mortality.5. How might Daniel’s internal focus on Susannah, rather than Mr. Anabin, inform our understanding of his priorities or conflicts in the story?
Answer:
Daniel’s prioritization of Susannah over Mr. Anabin reveals his emotional priorities and possibly unresolved conflicts. While Mr. Anabin is mentioned, Daniel’s genuine concern and interest lie with Susannah, suggesting that she holds a more significant place in his heart or represents a more pressing issue. This focus could indicate that Daniel’s internal struggles are tied to personal relationships rather than external obligations or events. It may also point to a narrative tension involving Susannah, highlighting her role as a catalyst for Daniel’s emotional journey. This prioritization invites readers to consider the dynamics of Daniel’s relationships and the underlying reasons for his attention and care.
Quotes
1. “He wasn’t sure how much longer he would be around. He’d eaten almost a bag of sliced bread’s worth of sandwiches and a plate of scrambled eggs, too. But it was as if he hadn’t eaten for days.”
This quote poignantly captures the narrator’s deep existential hunger and uncertainty about his own survival, symbolizing a profound internal struggle that permeates the chapter.
2. “He was so very hungry he thought that if he didn’t figure out what he needed, he would go flying out his bedroom window. All he would be was appetite, wings and a beak and a gullet. Crying loudly as he swallowed the whole world down to fill himself.”
Here, the metaphor of transforming into a creature driven purely by hunger highlights the overwhelming nature of his desire and need — a vivid image that conveys desperation and the fear of losing control.
3. “He was going to give Laura all the photos he had from when they were kids. Susannah, though, he had no idea what to give Susannah. What did you give Susannah when you were Daniel? Everything he came up with seemed inadequate.”
This passage reveals the emotional complexity and relational tension at the heart of the chapter, emphasizing the narrator’s struggle to find meaningful ways to connect and express care, especially toward Susannah.
4. “Susannah was the problem he was interested in. Not Mr. Anabin.”
This concluding statement sharply focuses the chapter’s thematic concern on Susannah, underscoring the narrator’s priorities and internal conflicts, and signaling a key turning point in his attention and emotional investment.