Outside Reading - post #4

In the novel Halfway House, the main characters are motivated by others. Pieter, the husband, is inspired by his wife Jordana. He lives his life unknowingly according to Jordana. Only when Jordana leaves, does Pieter realize just how much he depends on her everyday presence. Pieter is constantly thinking of his absent wife, “Without Jordana, Pieter found himself imagining what she would notice or say. He couldn’t turn it off, which meant he walked around flayed, open to all stimuli” (310). Jordana was Pieter’s light at the end of his dark tunnel which consits of Angie’s illness and his lackluster career. Now that Jordana is gone, Pieter doesn't know what to do with himself.

Pieter’s son also finds motivation in another human being. Luke’s girlfriend and future wife, Wendy, is the typical girl-next-door. No one, including Luke’s parents, expects him to fall in love with such an ordinary girl. Jordana eventually understands that Wendy inspires Luke:

Why had Luke chosen her? Wendy was pretty and apparently she was smart-Jordana knew she’d graduated summa cum laude-but she was so self-contained that no personality leaked through. Maybe she was different when they were alone. Luke’s other girlfriends had been drastic and messy-sexy girls who got their clothes at thrift stores and called Luke in the middle of the night, drunk and apologizing but could they talk to Luke please? With them, Luke had always seemed to be sitting back, lazy and contented as a cat, while with Wendy he was forcused, touching her constantly: her hair, her knee (299).

Unlike other girls Luke has dated, Wendy keeps him focused and attentive. Luke deeply cares for Wendy and is motivated to do his best when in a relationship with her. Having someone as a source of motivation is inspiring and uplifting as long as the inspiration doesn't turn obsessive.