Mr.cattanzara “The change maker”

Mr. Cattanzara – works as a change maker in the ticket booth of a subway station. Literally, he gives change to those who pay for their tickets. It is a boring job that requires no special skills. Symbolically, change maker may refer to one who affects change in the lives of others. He serves as a catalyst for change in Georg’s life. He is different from the other neighbors. He reads The New York Times (intellectuals’ newspaper) from cover to cover. Either he has no special interests or everything interests him. He maybe more intelligent than the others, he has not lived up to his potential, which may explain why he seeks to escape from reality by drinking. He is fond of George and wants to save him from the same fate. When he spreads the rumor about George’s reading, it is to give him something to live up to.

He loved George and knew that he has the potential to improve his life , he wanted him to get education so to get a better life .

So he started a rumor that George finished reading all the books , the thing that motivated George when he heard the people speech when they asked him if he really finished reading all the books , so he started reading all the book in passion , and he wanted to improve his life.

3 meetings – change of moods: Mr. Cattanzara asks George questions about what he has been doing.  George lies that he is reading 100 books. He continues with his usual routine, but he begins to notice that people in the neighborhood, his father and sister have started treating him with respect. (1) This appeals to George at first.  (2)As time goes on he begins to fear that the truth will be discovered. He knows he doesn’t deserve the respect he has been given and is afraid on running into Mr. Cattanzara, avoids any contact. The climax is in the third and fateful meeting with Mr. Cattanzara. When the lie is exposed, George’s life seems to fall apart. Having failed both himself and Mr. Cattanzara, George is intensely ashamed. Mr. C. takes pity on George and parts with the words “don’t do what I did”. He shuts his eyes and only opens them again “years later”. Opening one’s eyes may be understood both literally and figuratively. This meeting with Mr. C may have been a real eyeopener for George.

(3)After the encounter, George shuts himself in his room and refuses to leave his self imposed prison. One night, he can stand it no longer. As he walks around the neighborhood, he is surprised to discover that the neighbors are still friendly to him. He suspects that Mr. C actually spread a new rumor, that George has finished reading all the books.  (4) In the fall, George goes to the library and starts to read.  Being imprisoned in his room is a similar metamorphosis is a butterfly. A caterpillar that emerges from the prison of its cocoon – transformed into a butterfly.