English 015 - Americans Abroad
the lyles
the lyles
Category: 06B: The Sheltering Sky | Ben Ledue
Port and Kit left for Africa with "the intention of keeping as far as possible from the places which had been touched by war" (14.) This statement is at the root of the Lyles's apparent threat to Port and Kit. Their constant, almost nagging presence within Paul Bowles's The Sheltering Sky inhibits the ability of Port and Kit to remove themselves from the civilization that they had purposely left behind.
The physical appearance of the Lyles is threatening as well. Their unusual, non-expressive faces are creepy. Eric Lyle is described as a "heavy-looking youth with a formless face which was saved from complete nonexistence by an undefined brown beard” (53.) His mother's appearance is strangely without emotion as well, her eyes described as "the glassy black eyes of a doll" (53.) Their ghost-like appearances are very unusual, but not as strange as the relationship between the two. The Lyles have a very open relationship regarding sexuality between mother and son. The awkward combination of this family's appearance and interaction leave Port and Kit uncomfortable with their presence.
Posted by on November 06, 2003 at 02:19 PM