Damaged Goods - --------------------- PDF

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Tim Winton’s ‘Damaged Goods’ branches into the consequences of being obsessed with the past and how it effects one’s relationships. I find it interesting how Winton utilizes abstract ideas and makes correlations with everyday issues to provide for an engaging narrative that is in continuum with the general course of the novel. Imperfections are symbolic of one’s meaning of self and a presentation of one in society. Through this, emotions of pity are provoked. This can be seen in the line, “You just can’t let yourself be defined by these things.” This ironical inclusion highlights Vic’s obsession with the past and rubs salt on the wounds of loss. Vic’s personality is such that he himself is a damaged good that has issues with perceiving reality. He is unable to accept that fact and come to his senses that life is unfair and sometimes, there are wants that are unattainable. Vic’s connection with past poses a barrier in his marriage which can be seen in, “It’s no fun wondering if your husband’s love could be another act of kindness.” This statement is a continuation of Gail’s jealousy and moreover the desire to look towards the future. Otherwise, she’d be ‘long gone’. Marriage is a sacred institution and there are boundaries that need to be maintained such as not allowing a past memory to interfere in the smooth function of a relationship. The only reason that she sticks around is because her story is no different and having someone to be by your side is emotional support that goes a long way. The final line of the story reinforces this idea through the metaphor of the ‘heat each of us leaves in our wake’. There is a legacy that is left behind on one’s departure and Winton generally portrays this through the motif of looking out at the horizon, yearning for a change. I enjoy the endings of the narratives as they leave a lot to be desired, much like the character’s lives. With every full stop, a new fact is being revealed and the maintained suspense is engaging....