Little Bee Continues

The more I read of this novel, the more I enjoy it. I read the entire story in one sitting and since then have been going back and rereading sections I particularly enjoyed. I usually find whenever I go back and reread books that I had been caught up in the moment, the drama of the book and after I know what happens, I find myself let down when I reread. However, I feel like my understanding and awareness of the full story only enriches my appreciation when rereading Little Bee.

I find it very interesting that Cleave is not only able to write so convincingly from the points of view of two women, but also that all the male characters in the story are very static and have some flaw that leads or ultimately will lead to their downfall. Andrew is so consumed by his guilt and depression that he ultimately commits suicide rather than face the consequences of his guilt and the enormous problems the world is experiencing. Lawrence also refuses to face his problems and in my opinion takes an approach that is just as cowardly as Andrew's, one that the majority of people also take. Lawrence tells himself that yes, there are issues in the world that are horrible and need to be dealt with, but that's just the way the world is and there is really nothing that he can do about it.

I think that Lawrence is symbolic of the general attitude of England and the rest of the world towards major issues. Rather than focus on the personal aspect, how it would benefit Little Bee to live in England and the horrible fate that awaits her in Nigeria, he would rather hide behind the sterile, dehumanizing argument of the government that she is illegal and therefore, a drain on and detriment to the country. Lawrence recognizes that he is selfish for wanting Little Bee gone because he does not want anyone deflecting Sarah's attention from him, however, he clings to and almost seems proud of that selfishness. The reader also gets the sense that Lawrence will fall apart if or when he loses Sarah. His selfishness will ultimately be his downfall because in trying to hang on to her, he will drive her away.