"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" explores a particular kind of transformation: aging. The story reminds us that physical changes are necessarily accompanied by personality changes: older people tend to be less lively and more set in their ways, while younger people tend to be emotional and eager to learn. This transformation is a way for us to learn more about ourselves – what parts of us don’t change as we get older? If we are continually changing, then how can we define a consistent self over the course of an entire lifetime? These are just some of the ordinary questions that Fitzgerald is able to explore by looking at a rather extraordinary case.
Questions About Transformation
- What does Benjamin learn through the course of his odd life?
- What sort of impact does Benjamin have on those around him?
- How does Benjamin’s rather odd transformation comment on the normal aging process the rest of us undergo?
Chew on This
Benjamin’s odd condition makes it impossible for the reader to relate to him.
Despite Benjamin’s peculiar condition, he’s quite a relatable character.