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An Imaginary Life by David Malouf touched on so many of the things we talk about in class and the theme all that possesses the past possesses the future could be witnessed throughout. What I have chosen to concentrate on as reasoning for reading this book is the relationship between the Child and Ovid. Through this bond we can relate many other bonds we have been shown throughout the semester and bonds we deal with everyday.

In capturing the Child, Ovid takes on the responsibility of raising and providing for him. The other mothers of the tribe shun him as an evil spirit and it is Ovid that must take responsibility for the capture that happened because of his will. Ovid accepts this task and sets about teaching the Child what any parent would want their children to learn. Ovid tries to provide the child with language, teaches him the customs of the community, and shares with him his love of poetry.

Ovid also helps the Child get food and gives the Child shelter and comfort.This relationship seems to be that of the mother daughter bond that is not to be spoken of. In taking the Child Ovid must establish this bond and seemingly does. This is a reminder of all the mother daughter bonds we have read about thus far; most notably, Demeter and Persephone, and the Trojan women. Ovid will do anything for the Child and thinks of escaping when the family seems to turn on the Child thinking he is responsible for the sickness stricken on the families’ child. Ovid also echoes the sentiments that many other women feel today towards their children and is a reminder of the bond that will continue until the end of time.

Furthermore, the story An Imaginary Life reminds us of Dr. Sexson’s story of the man reading the newspaper. Even though the story is purely imagined, as is An Imaginary Life, it is an insight into a world that could be. Though none of this may be what Ovid experienced on the island it should not matter because it is a story that provides us with implications on the importance of language, the bonds between people, and a life of exile. An Imaginary Life fits perfectly into our readings because it deals with the issue that all of our readings will deal with, all that possesses the past possesses the future.