I have been surprised when the teacher told us that we have to read 'Harold and Maude' by Colin Higgins for the next English lesson - I have already known the film.
I like this book and that's why I will write down something about it. Of course, that will not be a big analysis but many personal thoughts.
Difference between books and movies
It is useful to begin by saying that the big difference between books and movies is the soundtrack which you do not have in a book. A lot of people like music and in addition to this the music can transmit feelings very well.
In contrast to the movie, if the author wants that you have to 'feel' music, he must write which song is playing; as a result if the reader do not know that song, he will not realize the meanings.
Another point to consider is this: If you want show how rich a family is - family Chasen -, in a movie you must use stereotype - this is negative for the viewer - but in a book you do not need to use stereotype. The reader has to imagine more, he has to use his ownen fantasia.
Personally, I prefer a book if we consider this point.
Finally I want to take into account the angle and the camera range which are important. In a movie, it will be easy to use long shots, extrem close-up, high and low angle, on the contrary, in books the author has to change the narrative perspective.
In contrast to the movie, if the author wants that you have to 'feel' music, he must write which song is playing; as a result if the reader do not know that song, he will not realize the meanings.
Another point to consider is this: If you want show how rich a family is - family Chasen -, in a movie you must use stereotype - this is negative for the viewer - but in a book you do not need to use stereotype. The reader has to imagine more, he has to use his ownen fantasia.
Personally, I prefer a book if we consider this point.
Finally I want to take into account the angle and the camera range which are important. In a movie, it will be easy to use long shots, extrem close-up, high and low angle, on the contrary, in books the author has to change the narrative perspective.
(Little) Characterization of Harold
Harold Chasen, a nineteen-year-old boy who is still living with his rich mother in a large house (or we can say villa). He has not worked all his life and he does not go to school anymore after he burns down the school building. In addition to this Harold does not know his father but he would like to get know him. Apart from this we can say that Harold does not like his mother who is called Mrs Chasen.
Harold likes to spend his time on junk yards, likes to visit funerals and he likes to see a crane which is destroing buildings as well.
At last I write something about his friendship. Harold has not freinds but as time goes by he gets know an old woman who is called Maude. The relationship between them is intimately.
The main characters (or the protagonists) are Harold Chasen and Maude. The protagonist character's unfolds himself through gesture and action but often he is describing by his mother.
Finally we can say that the character of Harold is well-drwan and credible.
Harold likes to spend his time on junk yards, likes to visit funerals and he likes to see a crane which is destroing buildings as well.
At last I write something about his friendship. Harold has not freinds but as time goes by he gets know an old woman who is called Maude. The relationship between them is intimately.
The main characters (or the protagonists) are Harold Chasen and Maude. The protagonist character's unfolds himself through gesture and action but often he is describing by his mother.
Finally we can say that the character of Harold is well-drwan and credible.
(Little) Characterization of Maude
Maude is a seventy-nine-year old woman who is living lonely in a small house. She speaks with a slight British-European accent and in addition to this she is well-educated. In particular she has a different (curios) philosophy of life - that makes her very interesting.
Unlike this, she steals cars and drives crazy. On the other hand she likes colors and to watch things which are growing, for example: a flower. That's why her favorite place is the large vegetable field. In contrast to this she likes to visit funerals.
At last I want to say that Maude has a relationship with a boy who is nineteen years old. Finally, something in general: She is the protagonist in Colin Higgins's novel. The protagonist's chief characteristic is that she is different from other people - especially different from Harold's mother.
Unlike this, she steals cars and drives crazy. On the other hand she likes colors and to watch things which are growing, for example: a flower. That's why her favorite place is the large vegetable field. In contrast to this she likes to visit funerals.
At last I want to say that Maude has a relationship with a boy who is nineteen years old. Finally, something in general: She is the protagonist in Colin Higgins's novel. The protagonist's chief characteristic is that she is different from other people - especially different from Harold's mother.
The relationship between Mrs Chasen and Harold
It makes sense to start by asking whether the relationship between them (Mrs Chasen and her son) is typical of us expectation.
Often Mrs Chasen does not have time for Harold. For that reason Harold is not able to have a sensible conversisation with his mother. If they are talking about something, a lot of friends from Mrs Chasen are there. For instance on page five: The Crawfords and other friends from Mrs Chasen were having a dinner together. At the same time - Harold were there - Mrs Chasen began to talk about Harold how he was as a baby and how he is now.
We have to consider that Harold is nineteen years old. No doubt he is able to talk about himself, hence Mrs Chasen does not have respect for his son - maybe for all young people. Therefore - not only - Harold makes these curious jokes (for example: execution himself by hanging). Furthermore, Mrs Chasen has the same behaviour when she wants that Harold has to get married.
In conclusion we can say that Mrs Chasen is not able to be a mother who the children (young people) need.
Often Mrs Chasen does not have time for Harold. For that reason Harold is not able to have a sensible conversisation with his mother. If they are talking about something, a lot of friends from Mrs Chasen are there. For instance on page five: The Crawfords and other friends from Mrs Chasen were having a dinner together. At the same time - Harold were there - Mrs Chasen began to talk about Harold how he was as a baby and how he is now.
We have to consider that Harold is nineteen years old. No doubt he is able to talk about himself, hence Mrs Chasen does not have respect for his son - maybe for all young people. Therefore - not only - Harold makes these curious jokes (for example: execution himself by hanging). Furthermore, Mrs Chasen has the same behaviour when she wants that Harold has to get married.
In conclusion we can say that Mrs Chasen is not able to be a mother who the children (young people) need.
Tree Trouble
Because Maude is driving too fast, the policeman holds them (H. and M.) and asks Maude if she has a driving licence. Of course, Maude has never had a driving licence and that's why she begins to explain the meaning of this license which she should have. She hands out her personal opinion which you can read on page 72 on line 1f.:
'You mean those little pieces of paper with your pictures on it?'
And on line 6 we read:
'I don't have one. I don't believe in them.'
No doubt Maude's lifestyle is in these sentences. Consequently the policeman cannot realy understand what Maude means, he has not except these kind of answers.
The policeman's odyssey progresses. On the same page on line 17 we read:
The policeman's odyssey progresses. On the same page on line 17 we read:
'No, no. I just took' it [vehicle].'
Maude has stolen the car but she speaks to the policeman that she 'has taken' this car. That's obvious, the policeman does not know what Maude means with 'to take a car'. Possibly, he thinks 'to have and have not'. In conclusion, let's make that clear: They (Maude and Policeman) have a completely different ideas of life - although we must consider that the policeman do his job, we do not know what he thinks really.
Dr. Harley's Method
''You don't seem to be listening, Harold. I asked you, do you have any friends?'
Harold abendoned his musings and concentrated on the question. 'No,' he answered.
'None at all?'
Harold considered. 'Well, maybe one.'
'Would you care to talk about this friend?'
'No.'
'Does your mother know this freind?'
'No.'
'Is this a friend you had when you were away at school?'
'No.''
Source: 'Harold and Maude' by Colin Higgins.
Harold abendoned his musings and concentrated on the question. 'No,' he answered.
'None at all?'
Harold considered. 'Well, maybe one.'
'Would you care to talk about this friend?'
'No.'
'Does your mother know this freind?'
'No.'
'Is this a friend you had when you were away at school?'
'No.''
Source: 'Harold and Maude' by Colin Higgins.
It is obviuos that Harold does not have friends and then he - after he thought about it - says that there is someone - of course, Harold means Maude. At the beginning Harold was not there with his mind, so he answered only with 'Yes' and 'No'. Normally if you have to visit a psychiatrist, you will tell him all about your life but Harold does not want to go to Dr. Harley. That is why Harold does not tell him anything about Maude who becomes close to Harold.
Harold and Maude by Hal AshbyOn the picture Harold is lying on the sofa, but not how he should lie there. He's feet are on the top. That tells Harold is not interested in what Dr. Harley says and wants. At the same time we see - or we can imagine it very well - that Harold is thinking of someone (maybe Maude, because they are talking about 'Freinds'.
Harold and Maude by Hal AshbyOn these picture we do not see Dr. Harley's face. We can take this as sympolic: These pictures show us that Dr. Harley is impersonal to Harold - perhaps that is why Harold does not want to talk with him - and Dr. Harley does not show Harold and us his 'real face'.
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