Robert Brownburn is an important character to look at when reading the story Less. When looking at the chapter Mexican, we are immediately introduced to the love story of Arthur Less and Robert Brownburn. This relationship is important to look at because it represents some major key themes such as infidelity and identity
When Less first arrives in Mexico, he is asked if it is his first time visiting. He responds to this by saying, “Yes, yes, it is” (Greer 48). This is important to remember because it is not his first time in Mexico, and he feels a need to hide that from everyone. From here, the reader looks at his flashback of when he and Robert had taken a trip to Mexico with one another; how he was young and in love. He looks back at this memory longingly and then shares with the reader that he could never share this memory with anyone because Robert is married at the time and this trip had to remain a secret between them (Greer 53).
Later in the chapter, the reader learns that Robert leaves his wife and both Arthur and Robert decide to pursue on another. The author describes Less as “far from faithful” (Greer 58) when regarding this relationship and tells the reader about the many different affairs that Less has while with Robert. In this same portion of the text, Less loses his ring and panics because he knows there would be “no way to explain it that would not sound like a betrayal” (Greer 61). Even though Less appears to believe that this relationship is a very good thing for him, but he also appears to believe that actions such as this one could be what could potentially end the relationship. He also knows somebody like Robert is smart enough to see what he is hiding. He is not one that is going to overlook such a thing.
These two scenes with Robert teach the reader a lot about Less. It is easy to see his insecurities, as well as his willingness to assist in or be the cause of betrayal on another person. This also brings out a theme of him thinking that what he has is not enough, or even that maybe he is not enough because he does things to sabotage himself or forget what is most important to him. Robert plays a very big role in showing the reader some of Less’s characteristics that are important for the remainder of the story, and he continues to help the reader learn about Less in later parts of the book. He tells Less at the end of the story to “go enjoy yourself” (Greer 245) and to stop worrying about what is going wrong in life. He wants him to stop worrying about age and to stop letting everything getting everything gets in the way when he sees things going wrong, something the reader sees Less doing a lot of. He is a very important character and someone who has a big influence on Less.
I agree with you that Robert heavily influences Arthur due to his perception of Robert as a genius. Being with someone older and more successful caused Arthur to struggle with his identity. He reflects on what it was like to “live with genius” (Greer 58), and describes the experience as sometimes dull due to Robert’s work habits. You mentioned the scene in which Arthur loses his ring and gets anxious since he knows Robert will notice it is gone. I find this scene interesting because just before Arthur reflects on the missing ring, he flashes back to an affair he had while with Robert. He describes the other man as being very different from Robert in his character. Arthur says, “Someone very unlike Robert, someone cheerful and bright, with affection, and, maybe, not terribly smart” (Greer 59). Because Arthur seeks out someone unlike Robert, I started to wonder if their relationship was causing Arthur to feel insecure. These feelings could be the reason why he is so worried about losing the ring, because Robert would be very upset and Arthur still feels like he needs Robert in his life. You mention the theme of Arthur thinking that he is not enough, and I also see that theme being thoroughly supported by these scenes.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with your claim that Robert plays an extremely influential role in the life of Less. Towards the end of the novel when Less and Robert reunite Less still turns to Robert for advice. So many of Less's choices in life revolve around his love life. The premise of the novel is Less's travels around the world because he is running away from the wedding of his past boyfriend Freddy. Less asks Robert, "Am I too old to meet someone Robert?" (243). Even in his final moments with Robert, Less still looks to him for honest advice on what matters most to him. Even though many years have passed since Robert and Less were in a relationship, Less has no problem opening up to him and admitting his fears about love and aging. The way Robert responds to Less's question further shows the close relationship that Robert and Less had at one point in time and one which they still have significant attachment to and memories of. Robert's report to Less's question states "I look at you, and you're young. You'll always be that way for me. But not for everyone else. Arthur, people who meet you now will never be able to imagine you young" (244). By saying this Robert is expressing that not everyone can know Less the way he does. Robert alludes to how much the two of them have done together, the vast amount of memories they share, and the extent of their past relationship. By saying that no one will know Less the way Robert says, the uniqueness and depth of their relationship is emphasized.
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