Men in "Smartest kid on Earth"

The page I think illustrates a main theme of the book is the page where James and his father, William, stay the night at a widow’s house after watching a picture slide show at her house. One of the themes of this book is the treatment of women by the male characters. They see the women as objects that they can use for whatever they want. On the page it says, “This widow’s body has lost its novelty for him.” This displays how William doesn’t want this woman because of her personality or who she really is, he simply wants her because of sex. Because her body has “lost its novelty for him,” he’s considering not having sex with her. It also says, “How could he be expected to bank on a long term partnership with that?” showing how he would only get into a “long term partnership” with a woman who is, in some sense, flawless. He eventually does have sex with her though, because it says, “But for one last time at least he makes his usual weekly deposit.” This word choice illustrates how he isn’t interested in this woman at all, except for the weekly sex they have. The men in the novel see woman as objects for getting what they want and only what they want. Jimmy, when he fantasizes about other women, thinks first about the sex they could have, and then about the actual relationship. Jimmy is somewhat different in this aspect because he does want a legitimate relationship with a woman, but he also does want a woman to have sex with. Each man in the novel sees their father using women in this way, and in return exhibit the same behavior when they are men.

            Another aspect on this page that speaks to the novel as a whole is the leaving behind of a $10 bill for the widow after they have sex. The page says, “and slip away into the April day with nothing but a note left behind as the sole token of his appreciation.” William believes money will compensate for him leaving in the morning without saying goodbye or probably ever seeing her again. This is much the same with Jimmy and his father. His father believes that if Jimmy sees and visits him one time it will make up for all the years he never knew him. These men think that there are certain actions they can take that will “make up” for the mistakes they have made. It’s ridiculous to think that a $10 bill will make up for William leaving this woman after having sex with her. It’s also ridiculous for Jimmy’s father to think that they are able to have a normal father-son relationship after he left him all those years ago. The men in the novel have a warped view of relationships that, once again, is seen by their sons who, in return, display the same behavior when they are older.