Mad Toy - Is life in poverty worth living?

Hello everyone! For this week's reading, I picked "Mad Toy" by Roberto Arlt. The first chapter started off kind of wholesome since it was simply just children fantasizing about being cunning yet intelligent like a bandit. I didn't really think anything of it at first. However, as the story progressed, it became more thrilling as Silvio and his friends actually started doing illegal activities. During their raid at the library, I found myself holding my breath when they were about to get caught. Though, I noticed I was hoping they get away instead. This might be because I realize they are also struggling to get through each day, and that is normal for them. I also noticed that they value the books a lot which shows that Silvio and his friends have potential and are intelligent. If they had more opportunities available to them, they wouldn't have to dream of being rich by turning to illegal activities. The chapter ends and the three don't see each other again for a long time.

After their group disbanded, Silvio tries a different approach to escaping poverty. He starts looking for work. Any work. Anything was okay with him as long as it was not illegal. In the second chapter, Silvio's mother begs him to start working as their family is struggling and their situation gets worse each day. When Silvio worked at a bookstore, I found it interesting how he had to stay over and live with his bosses which meant that he was basically working 24/7 -- well, until he tried to burn the place down. Silvio can't seem to find a permanent job. He also tried to enlist in the military but he got kicked out for "no reason." Then, he became a "paperboy." This was when he saw Lucio again. I feel that Silvio was definitely jealous of Lucio since he thought Lucio was the member with the least potential in their previous club. This was also when he found out that Irzubeta went to jail. A line that is repeated throughout this book is, "that's life." Events in life is unexpected but what can you do when it is inevitable? That's just life. We just have to live day by day. One scene that stood out to me was when Silvio was given a tip but he refused. I didn't quite get why he did this but I'm guessing it because he wants to earn the money himself. He doesn't want it to just be handed to him. 

Lastly, Silvio stated that he wants to "discover something so [he] would never die; to live, if only five hundred years!" (96) Yet, he still tried to commit suicide. As he tried to do so, he repeated the phrase, "I don't have to die, but I have to kill myself" (111). I interpreted this as he wants to keep on living and grasp success. But, everything is always going against him which makes him want to give up because he doesn't want to face his family and come home with nothing yet again.

This quote really resonated with me:

"What I want is to be admired by others, praised by others.What’s it to me if I’m a good-for-nothing Bohemian! It doesn’t matter . . . But this mediocre life . . . To be forgotten when you die, that, yes, is horrible. Ah, if only my inventions could be successful! Nonetheless, one day I will die, and the trains will keep on running and people will still go to the theater, and I will be dead, very dead . . . dead for the rest of my life" (96).

Discussion Question:

Whenever Silvio said someone with a higher status than him looked at him with "part curiosity, part mockery" what do you think he meant by this? Do you think it was because he's poor? young? Or if you like, you can answer the question in my title. Please share your thoughts below.

Thank you for reading!