The Book of Love
The Book of Mo 9
by Link, KellyIn this chapter of *The Book of Mo*, the protagonist, Mo, embarks on a mundane yet symbolic quest to find a birthday present for his music teacher, Mr. Anabin. His visit to a curious shop filled with whimsical items such as handblown glass creatures and embroidered pillows introduces a subtle tension between the ordinary and the uncanny. Mo contemplates the significance of the gifts, wondering if his choice should be guided by some magical intuition. The embroidered pillows, with their odd and sometimes humorous literary quotes, reflect the eccentricity of the world Mo navigates, blending the everyday with the surreal.
While examining a collection of polished stones, Mo discovers a porcelain piece disguised as a stone, which captivates his attention and stirs a creative impulse within him. This moment highlights Mo’s sensitivity to the hidden layers beneath appearances and his connection to silence and sound as metaphors for awareness and presence. The porcelain’s hollow nature contrasts with solid objects, symbolizing an internal space of freedom and observation, emphasizing Mo’s introspective state and his nuanced perception of reality.
The encounter with the shopkeeper intensifies the narrative, introducing an element of suspicion and confrontation. The woman accuses Mo of theft, an allegation he vehemently denies, and warns him about a mysterious figure named Malo Mogge. This interaction reveals the precariousness of Mo’s position as someone recently returned from death and suggests underlying threats that complicate his existence. The woman’s insistence and Mo’s subsequent flight into the snowy street evoke themes of alienation and the struggle to assert innocence in a world that seems hostile or unwelcoming.
Mo’s next stop is the Lovesend bookstore, where he finds comfort in familiar books and memories, particularly those connected to his grandmother’s romance novels. The chapter closes with reflections on changing cultural landscapes, as seen through the repackaging of romance novels to include diverse heroines. This setting serves as a poignant contrast to the earlier tension, offering a glimpse into Mo’s longing for connection, beauty, and continuity amid a world that is both strange and evolving. The chapter balances moments of whimsy, conflict, and nostalgia, deepening the reader’s engagement with Mo’s journey.
FAQs
1. What motivates Mo to enter the shop and what kinds of items does he find there?
Answer:
Mo enters the shop primarily because he wants to find a birthday present for Mr. Anabin, his music teacher. He is drawn in by the pillows embroidered with book quotes, which remind him of Mr. Anabin’s T-shirts. The shop contains a variety of whimsical and artistic items such as handblown glass newts and salamanders wearing crowns and top hats, tea towels, and pillows with embroidered quotes. The items evoke a quirky, literary charm that reflects Mo’s thoughtful approach to gift-giving and his connection to Mr. Anabin’s personality.2. How does the porcelain “stone” that Mo picks up contribute to the themes of perception and reality in the chapter?
Answer:
The porcelain “stone” initially appears to be a simple polished rock, but upon closer inspection, Mo realizes it is hollow porcelain, not a stone at all. This discovery highlights the theme of deceptive appearances and challenges the reader’s perception of reality. The object’s ability to “collect and organize silence” and the sense that someone is observing Mo when he listens to it introduces an uncanny, mystical element. This moment underscores the boundary between the ordinary and the supernatural, reflecting Mo’s experience as someone recently returned from death and navigating a world where things are not always what they seem.3. Analyze the interaction between Mo and the woman in the shop. What does this encounter reveal about Mo’s situation and the challenges he faces?
Answer:
The interaction is tense and accusatory, with the woman accusing Mo of stealing a porcelain stone, which he denies. This confrontation reveals the difficulties Mo faces as someone “back from the dead,” trying to reintegrate into a world that does not fully accept or trust him. The woman’s reference to “Malo Mogge’s breath on your neck” hints at a darker or threatening force pursuing Mo, suggesting that his challenges are not only social but also supernatural or existential. This scene illustrates Mo’s vulnerability and isolation, as well as the suspicion and hostility he encounters, complicating his quest to find a simple gift and maintain his connection to life.4. What significance do the references to books and book covers, especially the Lavender Glass series, have in understanding Mo’s character and desires?
Answer:
The references to books, particularly the Lavender Glass series, serve as a window into Mo’s inner life and emotional desires. His fascination with the covers—especially the detailed description of the male figure—reflects his longing for tenderness, love, and connection. His nostalgia for the original cover art over the newer versions symbolizes his attachment to the past and a more idealized vision of intimacy. These literary references also emphasize Mo’s sensitivity and romantic imagination, traits that define his identity and his yearning for acceptance and affection in a world that often feels alien to him.5. How does the chapter use imagery, such as snow and whiteness, to symbolize Mo’s emotional state and his relationship to the world around him?
Answer:
The imagery of snow and whiteness pervades the chapter and symbolizes Mo’s emotional isolation and the cold, indifferent nature of the world he inhabits. The snow “powdered her shoulders” and “spat into his face,” emphasizing a harsh, unwelcoming environment. The whiteness is described as not loving him, reinforcing a sense of alienation and struggle. Despite this, Mo’s determination “he would not leave it” suggests resilience and a desire to persist in life despite adversity. The imagery reflects the tension between vulnerability and strength, highlighting Mo’s complex relationship with a world that is simultaneously beautiful, cold, and challenging.
Quotes
1. “All objects collected and organized sound and silence and whatever lived in the uncanny territory existing between those two states, but a hollow object collected and organized silence around itself in a way that was different from a solid object.”
This quote reveals a key insight about perception and the nature of silence, illustrating Mo’s sensitive awareness of subtle realities beyond appearances. It captures a moment of reflection that deepens the chapter’s exploration of the uncanny and the interplay between presence and absence.
2. “There was no meaning to something like this, except that it was not the thing it seemed to be.”
This statement highlights the theme of appearances versus reality, a motif that runs throughout the chapter as Mo navigates a world where objects and people are not always what they appear. It encapsulates the chapter’s tension between surface and deeper truths.
3. “White retail ladies had not been a problem while he was dead. Somebody embroider that on a pillow.”
This line injects humor while underscoring Mo’s struggle with the living world’s social dynamics after his return from death. It reflects his outsider perspective and sets a tone of ironic commentary on everyday challenges.
4. “There was too much whiteness in the world. It did not love him, but he would not leave it.”
This poignant sentence conveys Mo’s conflicted relationship with the world he inhabits—alienated yet determined to remain. It expresses a powerful emotional undercurrent about belonging and resilience that resonates throughout the chapter.
5. “He still imagined what it would be like to be held so tenderly by a hot, kissy-lipped guy with sleepy eyelids and big hands falling out of the shirtsleeves of an unbleached linen lace-up shirt.”
This evocative description offers insight into Mo’s desires and inner life, adding a layer of personal longing and vulnerability. It enriches the characterization and adds depth to the narrative’s emotional texture.