LOST MEMORY OF SKIN

Russell Banks

Part two, chapters; eight, nine and ten

By the end of Part II, I think we see a theme developing in the Lost Memory of Skin where Banks is proposing that personal powerlessness is a factor in the psychology of sex offenders, perhaps the key factor. The Kid is obviously a powerless person, partly because of his upbringing and socio-economic circumstances but mostly because of his conviction as a sex offender, hence his pariah status in society. So, if powerlessness is a key cause of sex offenses then Banks may be proposing that societies way of dealing with it both legally and in day to day life just leads to even greater probability of further sex offences (recividism) because we disempower offenders even more by treating them as pariahs and ensuring their daily lives are hell, like having to live 2500 feet from anywhere children might be. The Professor is engaging in an experiment of organizing the sex offenders under the Causeway, which is really an experiment in empowerment, but it will be interesting to see how this works out .. I suspect it will fail due to the Professors own demons but we'll see.

I agree that it will probably fail, as the Professor is trying to find a simple solution to a very complex problem and he is seeing all 'sex offenders' as being similar in intent and practice, which I believe is far from the truth. It could be that his experiment might help the Kid personally. I guess we'll see. I'm going to take a little break from reading this book as I'm traveling for the next week.

I'm still not convinced that the Prof is trying to find a solution to the sex offender problem. I see him more as an observer. He does manipulate the environment under the bridge a bit, but only for his own studies.
In chapter Eight we see the Kid actually developing a higher level of interest in his fellow humans. It will be interesting to see if this develops further and if he can reach the point of having a mature relationship with someone.

If the Kids story in Ch. 10 is true, has your impression of him changed?

Linda: I think you mean Chapter 10 in Part 3 not Part 2? If so, I would say, yes, my impression changed somewhat but also that the veracity of the Kid's story and the Professor's story is suspect, I think, but we'll see .. I will comment on that later when we are discussing part 3.

Sorry about that. I'm still getting used to moving around in my Kindle.

So are we indeed talking about Part 2, Chapter 8?

Here's what I saw there - the parole officer and the professor show up ... the professor first to find that mist which has been created to film the naked children.

Ummmm hmmmm ... the the parole officer shows up - what a time for her to show up. And she orders the kid to get off that island - back to the causeway, she doesn't care, just get outta there pronto.

I'm kinda glad she did though - that doesn't sound too healthy to me, what's going on at Denbow's place.

Too funny when the kid and the professor took off with the dog and the parrot.

Part II - Ch 10

The professor sounds like he's guilty of nothing more than idealism.

So far, the kid sounds like he's guilty of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But I'm sure there's more to know about both of them.

While there may be some validity to some of the professors views, he may be a bit of an idealist. He feels he can "cure" Kid and I just am not sure that is possible. While there may be some societal factors at play would the power obtained from sexual control of a helpless child be too much for a sex offender? I can only speculate, but it seems that control over children, individuals with certain disabilities, and others who may be unable to easily advocate for themselves would be easy to manipulate and victimize. This is probably a major factor in the probation officer wanting him out of there so quickly. The professor sees Kid as "lost in fantasy". Does his possible idealism make this comment relevant to him as well?

It is throwing up a HUGE red flag that Kid sees the children as beautiful, angelic children who are engaged in an erotic dance. He sees the dead eyes the children have and is not at all slightly concerned about this. The professor also mentions that the dance has an erotic tone making me wonder if I shouldn't also be concerned about his intentions. Is his view of the dance concerning like Kid's or not?

The Kid seems to start doubting the professor at the end of this part. He is doubtful of the organizing of the colony and also seems to be wary of getting the map. Seeing as how the map is from Treasure Island, I think the professor is showing his need for power over someone younger than him. He feels Kid is naive and seems to be using this for his social experiment.

I think it will fail as well but not because of the Professors demons.

Tell me please if I have this right. The Professor figures he can cure the kid of pedophilia by changing his social circumstances. And that pedophilia is not a mental issue. He wants the Kid to feel power over something. Like getting the dog and the parrot checked over and they can become the Kid's family and the Kid will be head of the family. He will have power over the animals so he doesn't have to have power over little children? I don't think I buy that theory.

Yea that was perfect timing for the parole officer. So far I think she is the only normal one in the bunch. She lacks sympathy though. "There is no cure for these people." Her job has probably turned her hard and cold to sex offenders and child molesters.

I'll be honest, when I was reading chapter 8 I thought that the Kid was dreaming. I couldn't figure out what was going on. And did you notice that he mentioned something about forgetting.....let me see if I can find it.....

He's almost forgotten why he came out here in the first place. Then he remembers that he left his tent to find Benbow so he could learn what his job will be today. But it's not a memory; it's a glimpse of one, and it's gone. He remembers for a second that the Professor is coming to bring the copy of the map today and make a second interview with him. But then he forgets.

Hey! We might be getting close to what the title of the book is about. Lost Memory of Skin.

Can a tiger change its stripes?

Getting back to the film shoot. I'm glad the Professor figured out what they were doing, the kids, cause I was lost. They were setting the mood. They were advertising the mood for a place the perverts could go to where they could exploit little children. Now how freegin sick is that! I lead such a sheltered life and I prefer it that way. My God there are some sick people in this world.