Perspectives in Trust

     Perspective is a very prominent part of Trust, given that we read through four different narratives in the book. While each new author sheds light on their experience in the circle of Andrew Bevel, I particularly enjoyed it when each author recounted the same event. My favorite example of this is when each author describes the time of Mildred’s hospital stay. 

Initially, we read through Venner’s rendition of the story. We find Dr. Aftus assuring Helen she would be okay after a difficult and painful stay at the hospital.  Presumably, Helen still thinks there is hope although her mental condition is steadily declining and she is often silent. Next, we read Andrew’s version of events. Andrew tells us that Mildred had died of cancer after a comparatively peaceful hospital visit. Because Andrew repeatedly fabricates his life to Ida, I wondered if Mildred died of cancer or something in between cancer and Venner’s diagnosis. Surprisingly, Mildred does end up having cancer, although her version of events is different from Andrews. She writes, “My cancer diagnosis, according to which I’d be dead not too long after that.” (Diaz, p. 396). Soon after this, Mildred claims that she is the one to tell Andrew about her diagnosis. On the other hand, Andrew states his doctor told him before Mildred knew. I also found it notable how Andrew claims his leaving for Zurich at the time of Mildred’s death was “the only time I left her side” (Diaz, p. 171). We find from Mildred’s diary that Andrew often left for Zurich during their stay at the hospital. These inconsistencies between stories made me want to reread parts of the book, as it added a new element to look for while reading. 

Because of Venner and Andrews's dishonesty, I wanted to get closer to the “truth” of what happened to Mildred as I was reading. Of course, even her diary translation had some difficulty. According to Ida, “It will take days…if I can ever make out the contents at all” (Diaz, p. 356). While it is still a mystery whether some of Mildred’s writing got lost in translation, her perspective is a captivating ending to Trust.

Diaz, H. (2022). Trust. Riverhead Books.

The Power of Perception

As said in class “Life is a lot about how you are perceived, as well as how you perceive things.” In Diaz’s book Trust, perception is very important, quite possibly the most important aspect of the book. This concept is realized by Andrew Bevel, as he tries to take accounts into his own hands and combat the many perceptions of himself and his wife. He understands the fact that the power of perception is real. 

First, the perception of Bevel. In part one, the novel by Harold Vanner, titled Bonds, Andrew Bevel is depicted as a character named Benjamin Rask. Benjamin Rask is depicted as a very introverted man, who is infatuated with the process of earning money, yet does nothing with his earnings. He is depicted as a man who did not care for the economy and the good of the rest of the people. To Andrew Bevel, this view of him was very wrong in many ways. For this reason, he decided to write and show his life through his eyes. In doing this, Bevel is perceived as a more social man. While he may be in love with earning money, he is not one to just let it sit, rather he is very philanthropic and uses his earnings for the good of the world. In another perception, Ida Partenza seems to believe that Bevel is the man who he says he was and that even though he may seem like he’s only in the business for money, that he is for the good in the world. Talking about Bevel, she says, “While geared toward profit, his actions had invariably had the nation’s best interest at heart” (Diaz, 275).  All of the perceptions of Bevel are quite different, creating a struggle as to who should be believed and which perception is true.

The other perception that is important is the perception of Mildred Bevel. In the novel by Vanner, Mildred is a character named Helen. This character is very smart and good in many ways, but she becomes mentally insane and eventually dies due to her insanity. Andrew Bevel is very much against this, and a large purpose of his personal story is about trying to make a better picture of Mildred. He purposely leaves out many details about her and describes her as simple, kind, cute, etc. as an attempt to give her a good, simple identity. This is again contradicted when Ida Partenza shares her readings of Mildred’s diary. She even says that it does not compare to what Vanner or Bevel say about her, that she is finally seeing the true Mildred. 

In the end, this book is largely about the struggle of perception. People perceive things in different ways, therefore, people are perceived in different ways. Bevel realizes that perception can do a lot to one’s reputation, saying, “I most emphatically do not want more perspectives, more opinions” (Diaz 279). Regardless of what he says, a question needs to be asked. Whose point-of-view is actually truthful? This question brings to light the main concept, the power of perception. 

How do the stories interlock and unfold to create the novel? How successful was this structure? What does it mean for the structure to “succeed”? Does it take you long to understand how the stories interlock? Of the stories told by Harold Venner, Andrew Bevel, Ida Partenza, and Mildred Bevel, whose do you most trust and why?

 As the reader progresses through the novel, they are presented with different perspectives on the same events. This allows the reader to see how truth can be constructed and manipulated, and how history can be written and rewritten.

    The stories in Trust interlock and unfold in a complex and non-linear way. The novel begins with Harold Venner's fictionalized account of Andrew Bevel's life, which is followed by Bevel's own memoir, then Ida Partenza's biography of Mildred Bevel, and finally Mildred's diary. For example, in Venner's novel, Andrew Bevel is portrayed as a ruthless capitalist who will do anything to make money. “Authority and money surround themselves with silence, and one can measure the reach of someone’s influence by the thickness of the hush enveloping them” (Diaz 232).  However, in his own memoir, he presents himself as a more sympathetic character. Bevel claims that he was only motivated by a desire to provide for his family.Partenza's biography of Mildred challenges Andrew Bevel's own account of his life. She argues that Bevel was a much more complex and conflicted figure than he portrays himself to be. Finally, Mildred's diary provides the most intimate perspective on the events of the novel. However, it is important to note that Mildred is writing her diary after the events have taken place, and her memory is not always reliable, “she was unable to stop thinking about her thoughts” (Diaz 85).

    As discussed in class, one example of how the stories interlock is the recurring image of the scar on Bevel's face; this scar is mentioned in Venner's novel, Bevel's memoir, Partenza's biography, and Mildred's diary. This clue helped me identify the different stories as being part of the same narrative. Another example is the way in which the different narrators contradict each other on key details. For example, Venner claims that Bevel was born into a poor family, while Bevel himself claims that he came from a wealthy background. Partenza argues that Bevel was a brilliant financier, while Mildred suggests that he was more lucky than skilled. These contradictions question the reliability of each narrator. They also suggest that the truth of Bevel's story may be more complex than any single narrator can tell.

    For a novel's structure to succeed, it must be able to engage the reader and keep them wanting to read more. It must also be able to support the novel's themes and message. The structure of Trust is successful in a number of ways. First, it creates a sense of suspense and mystery. The class was constantly trying to piece together the truth of what happened, and to figure out which narrator is the most reliable. For example, in the early chapters of the novel, I was inclined to trust Venner's account of Bevel's life. However, as the novel progressed, I began to question Venner's reliability. This is due in part to the fact that Venner is a fictional character, and in part to the fact that Venner's account is contradicted by the other narrators. Second, the structure allows the author to explore complex themes such as power, truth, and the nature of reality. By presenting the story from different perspectives, the author is able to show how these themes are contested and negotiated. For example, the novel explores the relationship between power and truth. It shows how powerful people can use their power to control the narrative and to shape the public's understanding of reality. Third, the structure allows the author to challenge my expectations. I constantly questioned my own assumptions about truth and reliability. For example, the novel challenges that there is a single, objective truth. It shows how truth is constructed and manipulated, and how it can vary depending on one's perspective. The structure of Trust is successful in both of these ways. It engages the reader by creating a sense of suspense and mystery. It also supports the novel's themes by showing how truth is constructed and manipulated 

The Truth of Andrew Bevel and His Fortune

Throughout the novel Trust by Hernan Diaz, Andrew Bevel's true self is scattered between multiple stories and recounts of his life by multiple authors and point of views. In the first book, Bonds, by Harold Vanner, Bevel, or in this story "Rask," is a genius in the stock market. He doesn't have much of a personality outside of being good at trading. He was portrayed in a sense as a "robot" having no other interests other than the stock market and being exceptionally good at it. But Andrew Bevel is portrayed to have no interest in the money at all. He trades because he enjoys it. The numbers are a game for him, The end is not important to him, the only important thing is "winning." To other's around him he was a genius, someone untouchable. No one could compete with is trades and no one understood the market like he did.

In Ida Partenza's point of view, Bevel is given much more personality. We see that he is not the stone cold person he is shown to be by Vanner. Bevel was shown to be much more vain. He cared what people thought and that was why he hired Partenza to write an autobiography pretending to be him. He did this to fight the beliefs that Vanner's account did. He did not like how he and his wife, Mildred, where portrayed. But in her retelling, Bevel is shown to be a man that needs control, he is not a carefree man who only enjoys trading, but instead, he is shown to be a selfish man who wants control. He seems to only care to make himself look good. Most notably, Bevel controls exactly what Partnza puts into the book and shapes the people, mostly his wife, to how he thinks the public should view them. He also talks highly of his wife and wants everyone to know how amazing she was, but when Partenza asks for examples of her fraility and kindness he says, "Oh, I think you'd do a much better job"(286). Showing that he has no interest in it whatsoever. It makes his claims seem ignorant and untrue. Like he actually doesn't know of any times, he is just saying it to make her look good, and in turn, make him look good for talking highly of her.

This all comes crashing down in the retelling of the story by his wife, Mildred Bevel. The grand reveal at the end of the book shows that Mildred was the mastermind behind Bevel's success in trading. Constantly throughout Mildred's journal, Bevel calls her and asks for his input in the deals he is making and follows her directions. This is completely different than how he wanted her to be shown in his autobiography. He showed himself having all the knowledge and power. She states, "I made him a new sketch for his volume. And it worked"(380). It was known in the first book that Bevel just enjoyed the game of finances, but Mildred believed the opposite. She said that she enjoyed the process of gaining the money, while Bevel was only interested in results.

Mildred being the mastermind makes sense as Vanner's account states that he lost "his touch" after Mildred died. His touch was indeed Mildred who encouraged each of Bevel's investments and oversaw his portfolio. They were a team and Mildred was the brain behind the financial success. Bevel was a fraud, his fortune was not gained all by his own knowledge. His wife, Mildred earned the fortune, but Bevel would never let the world know that.

Into the Mildred-Verse

 From the personification of a “fated heroine” (300), to an unprovocative trophy wife, to the questioning of those two constructed narratives, as a reader, one trusts that by the end of the novel, the truest version of Mildred Bevel will rise. 

As a reader, one is first introduced to Helen alias Mildred in the fictionalized account of the Bevels’ life. Bonds, the novel within a novel, has the mission to convey an appealing narrative for the masses, and at the time of its publication during the Great Depression, the societal consensus was to look for culprits in characters of great wealth, and what better symbol for wealth’s omnipotence than the Bevels. Therefore, to depict the wealthiest man as also the most out-of-touch, Vanner relied heavily on the distortion of Mildred into Helen in various aspects, but more specifically in her death. Instead of recounting her death as being the cause of cancer, he attributes her tragic demise to her insanity, where Vanner “broke her mind and her body simply because it made for a better story” (300), allowing the reader to cast blame towards Bevel’s arrogance and peculiarities, shaping him into the “villain” and Mildred into victim.

To debunk the version of his life as told by Vanner and construct a well-deemed legacy, Bevel decides to take a “shot” in storytelling. In his unfinished manuscript, Helen is distorted into Mrs. Bevel, a submissive, childlike, and predictable companion. The version, as told by Vanner, of someone with great intellect is reduced to a fragile muse with the “innocent yet profound wisdom of those who, like young children or the elderly, are close to the edges of existence” (157). The constant comparison to childlike characteristics and remarks that potentiate the secondary role of women, such as “saved me by making a home for me” (158), are Bevel’s attempts to shift and counterattack the focus given to Mildred in Vanner’s novel to him and his greatness.

The lack of trace of Mildred makes it hard for her to be appreciated for her truth, yet along comes Ida, Bevel’s ghost writer. Through her nonconformity and the slow unraveling of forgotten documents, she questioned Bevel and Vanner’s narratives. When inspecting her room, she recognized a “modern, austerely avant-garde atmosphere” (329), showing her independent boundary-breaking spirit. Ida realizes how Mildred’s genius was silenced through the manipulation of storytelling, which makes the discovery of her diary more satisfactory.

Alas comes Midred’s turn as storyteller and our turn as readers to “listen.” Unlike the other narrations, her’s is short and unthreaded, with the acknowledgment that “a bell in a bell jar won’t ring” (402), which is her way of saying that once in a coffin, there is no voice to produce. Yet, she took this realization to heart and exposed her feelings and truths within the days she had left, introducing the reader to the real Mildred, a bold, revolutionary, altruistic woman whose internal force was too much for the fragile-ego, power-thirsty men around her to accept.

Mildred Bevel - Putting her in her place

Trust was an interesting novel because it allowed us to explore the characters from different points of view. To me, the most interesting character in this book was Mildred Bevel. 

The narrative of Mildred’s character from My Life by Andrew Bevel portrays Mildred as the perfect wife and woman. She was focused on philanthropy and music and was filled with warmth and kindness. This autobiography by Bevel gave a superficial insight into Mildred’s life. It harped on the fact that she was an average sickly woman - “In her husband’s condescending characterization Mildred was an endearing dilettante who enjoyed music as other women enjoy crocheting or collecting brooches.” (Diaz, 297) 

In Bond by Harold Vanner, Helen was depicted as a gifted woman with a penchant for languages, music, and books. She was similar to Mildred in that they had little social interaction except with musicians and artists. However, Helen's life had a drastic ending compared to Mildred’s.

After reading the extracts from Mildred’s journal, it is obvious that these two portrayals of her were not accurate and it leads to the question of why these men chose to portray her this way, especially Bevel. This question is answered by Ida when she says, “But reading these pages, it seems that more than vindicating Mildred he wanted to turn her into a completely unremarkable, safe character - just like the wives in the autobiographies of the Great Men I read …. Put her in her place.” (Diaz, 300) 

I agree with this statement because, throughout this book, Bevel came across as someone who could not share the spotlight. I think this stemmed in part from his upbringing. After his father died, his mother was solely focused on him. Even when his mother died, because of his reputable name, he was still looked up to and respected by many. Because of this, Bevel could not imagine the attention and respect being shifted to someone else, especially not a woman. We see this in the contempt he had for women getting in on the market. (Diaz, 182) This was ironic seeing as his successful business decisions were decided by Mildred.  

In Vanner’s Bond, Helen’s mind breaking and her death was his attempt to also put her in her place. Her madness started because “she was unable to stop thinking about her thoughts” (Diaz, 85) and to me this made it seem like Vanner was trying to say that she was too smart for her own good. Also, this whole situation started because she had decided to punish herself for her husband’s actions. This was interesting to me because Benjamin was not punishing himself for what he did. 

These two accounts and the way they treated the versions of Mildred portrayed how men thought in those times. We further see this in Ida’s relationship with her father and the type of roles he expects her to play in their household. From this book, we see that men expected women to be at home and have hobbies but not participate in activities affecting the economy. A clear example of this is when Mildred wrote “He felt unmanned, he once said” (Diaz, 386)  in reference to Bevel talking about taking her advice on the stock market. Almost a century later, this sentiment towards women has changed and women are now working all kinds of jobs. However, there is still much improvement to be made in regard to how women are viewed in society.

Narration and its Effect on Truth

  Novels depend on their narration. Their truthfulness lies in the hands of those who recount the story. Trust, by Hernan Diaz, contains four stories: a fiction novel based on the main character and his wife, an autobiography by the main character, a memoir by a woman the protagonist hired to write his biography, and excerpts from his late wife’s journal. As expected, these narrations are not as similar as the reader might prefer, begging the question: who can the reader trust?

First, we must break down the motives and mindsets of the narrators. The first story, a fictional account of events, is told from the perspective of a narrator removed from the protagonist’s life, but with an understanding of his career and way of life. The second is bound to be more biased towards the main character, as it is an autobiography; this applies to the memoir as well, given that he pays her well to write it and he embellishes his life and success to portray a story that looks favorably upon him. The fourth, however, is different from the rest. The protagonist’s wife’s journal presents thoughts meant for no one else’s eyes. Her portion contributed an air of reality in a novel where characters showcase anything but authenticity. Her journal reveals that she was the genius behind her husband’s stock market exploits. 

Controlling the narrative, Diaz opens the novel with an illusion of truth, peeling back layer by layer to reveal the facade the protagonist sells to society. He effectively communicates that money and power can hide just about anything. His ghostwriter, Ida Partenza, fears his power and notes his control over his wife and the world. His wife grows weary of his manipulative tactics, pursuing autonomy. This theme is present in the novel as well. With each section, Mildred’s character becomes more and more developed until her actual story surfaces. Diaz introduces her illness as insanity, portraying her as senile and unable. Later, he reveals that, in reality, she suffered from cancer, a more respectable disease. The insanity of Mildred’s alleged degree was common for women at the time and believable in that her sensibility and levelheadedness would be disabled. Moreover, cancer is a noble ailment, one that plagues men and women both and often keeps mental capacities intact. Mildred’s portrayal evolution serves as a guide to the reader when the final truth is presented. 

The four parts of Trust convey several distorted accounts of a story. We see that the sole truth-teller in the novel writes for herself rather than anyone else, hinting that truth is complex. Revealing the truth is complex due to who it involves and their subsequent actions. Hearing the truth is often disappointing or heart-shattering, and delivering it is dangerous. In the end, no matter the narrator, the best option is often to trust. 

Andrew Bevel: A man lost in his power.

 Andrew Bevel states himself that he comes from a long line of “greats”. Fathers and grandfathers that were financially and intellectually “superior” to the bulk of society. People like him. However, as Diaz reveals through his novel Trust, everything is not always as it seems, especially for those with vast wealth and power.

First, a discussion of pure monetary power in Andrew’s life After the death of his wife, Mildred, a book is written by Harold Vanner. Called Bonds, the novel catches Andrew’s attention and immediately sends him into a spiral, believing that the story is a direct reflection of his life experiences, molded to tarnish his reputation. While talking about his solution to the issue with his secretary, he states, “As long as the book sells, Mr. Vanner will be bound by his current contract. And sell it shall. Because I will buy every single copy of every print run. And pulp them all.” (287) Naturally, his secretary is taken aback by this claim. Only an individual who has elevated themselves to such a level of divine power could find this solution feasible. Alas, due to Andrew’s gross surplus of wealth, he is able to make his selfish desires a reality. Andrew speaks frequently about the “average reader” when formulating his counterargument of a memoir to get back at Vanner. He wants to appeal to society but lacks the knowledge that he is so lost in his finances and power that he doesn't even begin to relate to the average human.

Speaking of being lost in his economic power, Andrew also fails to see the damage he is inflicting on women around him. To Andrew, women are simply another asset on his balance sheet, a resource of his own entitlement to control to appear well-off. Diaz limits the reader’s knowledge of Mildred’s voice until the final section of the book. It is revealed that Mildred was adept in financial thinking and mathematics. She is behind Andrew’s great financial success; however, when this success finally reached the public eye, Andrew had already twisted the facts for his power to grow. Society “started speaking of Andrew and “his touch” with awe.” (381) “His touch,” referring to Mildred and her ability. Andrew is too deep in his manipulation of the truth to consider the fact that his own wife is not being credited due to his greed. Her name isn’t even mentioned in this line. Mildred has been reduced to a subsection of Andrew and his “greatness”, and he doesn't see a thing wrong with it.

As a whole, Trust speaks about Andrew’s hidden fear. Fear that he will be unable to hold the reins of his power if others are known to be involved with his success. Due to this manipulation, the average reader is introduced to lies and deception, ultimately not knowing who to trust.

Simplicity Is Seen

    In the novel Trust by Hernan Diaz, there is a prominent theme of visibility and invisibility. However, the traditional definitions of these words do not properly suit how the theme should be interpreted. The definition of visibility can be simply stated as the state of being able to be seen and invisibility as the state of not being able to be seen. Although these are the traditional definitions of said words and are the meanings that would come to the mind of most when they are asked what they believe the words to mean, these definitions do not necessarily apply to the theme of Trust. When answering the question of how visibility fits into the theme of Trust, a simple answer would be that Benjamin Rask prefers to hide in the shadows or lean towards the side of invisibility, while Andrew Bevel is a man who enjoys being in the eyes of the public, or visible. “Authority and money surround themselves with silence, and one can measure the reach of someone’s influence by the thickness of the hush enveloping them” (Diaz 232). This quote follows the generic and common belief of Benjamin Rask as someone closer to the side of invisibility as a result of his unwillingness to spend his continued growth of wealth. Despite that, I believe that the lives of these men differ more within the theme of visibility and invisibility than what initially comes to mind. 

    Furthermore, Benjamin Rask and Andrew Bevel’s personalities are different when it comes to being viewed in the eyes of the public. Rask has simple motivation when it comes to working, and it is plainly to continue to expand upon his wealth. To readers, in this day and age, it is a strange concept for one to work hard without a thought of what to spend their hard-earned money on. As a result of Rask having no clear motivation to work besides his love for working and the continuation of building wealth, more readers spend time contemplating Rask as a character which ultimately leads to him being more visible. On the other hand, Bevel is known as an extravagant character who works for his money in order to spend his money. Working to buy, buy, buy is a common trait of a working member of society, so ultimately, this personality trait of Bevel leads him to blend in as a wealthy man who holds the same ideals as others who make money. 

    Overall, as a result of Benjamin Rask’s unique choices with his money, he becomes the opposite of what a traditional reader believes him to be. Rask leans more towards the side of visibility because the reader is forced to put more thought into his character because of his uncommon idea to stack wealth on top of wealth with no thought of spending. Although most readers would think the previously mentioned quote by Diaz better suits Rask, it better describes Bevel. Bevel’s authority and money cause him to be more invisible as a character because of the way he fits in with other wealthy individuals who choose to spend their money and assert authority. In simpler terms, Bevel is a member of a crowd while Rask stands out from the crowd. 

The story of Mildred Bevel

Trust Blog Post 2 

The novel Trust presents one story that is being manipulated by multiple authors. This one story gives way to the understanding of a woman's life in the 1920s and 1930s, and the ways men use women. One of the main characters and elements moving the story has not spoken of their own experience. Their story is explained, told, and manipulated by every other character so far, except themselves. This charter is Mildred Bevel. I think the story of Mildred Bevel captures a larger picture of what it was, and still is, like to be a woman. She lives in a world dominated by men and the patriarch. Even after her passing her world and story are overtaken by men. These men maneuver Mildred Bevel's life and legacy to fit their own needs and wants. Her character and image have been bent to the will of the men that describe it. When Ida discovers Mildred's personal notes she remarks, “And precisely because the image of her that comes forward in this scrapbook differs so drastically from the portrait offered by those two men, I feel this is my first glimpse of the real Mildred Bevel” (page 298). It is clear that throughout this novel the true character of Mildred Bevel is toyed with in order to accommodate the goals of the men who attempt to tell her narrative. They use Mildred to achieve their goals and to elevate themselves in one way or another. Her husband tries to illustrate Mildred as a submissive trophy stating, “We ought to convey Mildred’s lovely softness with a bit more emphasis. I do realize that ‘softness’ and ‘emphasis’ may seem like contradictory terms. But truly, that’s where the focus ought to be. Her delicate nature. Her frailty. Her kindness”(page 286). This description does not portray an accurate or factual image of Mildred Bevel but rather submits to the desires of the man using Mildred. Andrew Bevel uses his wife and her legacy for his own personal gain multiple times in the novel. His desire to create an autobiography stems from the frustration that another man has not captured his life the way in which Andrew himself sees it. Rather than saying this he uses Mildred as a martyr to pioneer the ‘true’ story of their lives. Throughout this story Mildred's legacy is told by the men who use her for personal gain, sacrificing the qualities which make Mildred a full human being.

Sexism and Power in the 20th Century

    In the novel, "Trust", written by Hernan Diaz, he strategically lays out the ideas of sexism and the power dynamics of men in the 20th century. The two women in this novel, Ida and Mildred, are the backbones of all these men. They set them up to be successful and take care of them. However, they are heavily undermined and not given credit for their achievements. The main perpetrator of this is Andrew Bevel. He is a massive financial tycoon blinded by his power. He doesn't understand or accept the intelligence of the women around him, specifically when it comes to his wife. Andrew portrays his wife as a child-like, simplistic creature. He wants her to be seen as the perfect trophy wife. In his memoir, he illustrates her as "she relished in the smallest tasks and found the highest satisfaction in the simplest pleasures of life" (Diaz 163). In this explanation, Mildred is drawn out as one who cannot possibly have intriguing and intelligent thoughts, just a simple creature happy to care for her husband. However, this is far from the truth. Mildred's diaries reveal she is a very complex-minded woman. She is super intelligent, way more than what Andrew was leading on. She controlled most of Andrew's financial decisions, even his famous 1926 act. She writes, "By trading in outsized amounts + inciting bursts of general frenzy, I started creating the lags. The ticker fell behind me, and for a few minutes I owned the future. Andrew became a legend" (Diaz 387). Mildred was the mastermind behind every decision, yet Andrew was the one to become the financial god. He was either blinded by his arrogance or simply didn't care to give any credit to Mildred. Sexism was layered deep into society at this time. Women were meant to be good wives. They were not supposed to be smart, especially more than their husbands. The power was in the men's hands.

    The power dynamic of men was seen beyond just their wives. Andrew made sure he controlled the reins of him and Ida. He constantly tried to be ahead of her to display his power. In a significant event, he even stole her ideas. Ida made a story for Andrew and Mildred, as they liked to discuss murder mystery novels at dinner. This was based on Ida's life with her father. Although Andrew repeated this story straight to Ida as it was his own idea. She explains, "Over the years, both as work and in my personal life, I have had countless men repeat my ideas back to me as if they were theirs... But someone presenting one of my family stories as theirs?" (Diaz 347). He stole this personable story to gain sympathy towards him and to control the power. Andrew's perspective of reality is diluted by this power and his arrogance. The sexist roles and views of women are shown countless times in the novel. Men were put on a pedestal, yet women were on the sidelines. I'd like to say this issue was left in the past; however, sexism and men being hungry for power is still prevalent today. The Andrew Bevel types of men need to go. 

Music in Andrew and Mildred's Relationship

             The relationship between Andrew and Mildred Bevel serves as a centerpoint throughout the narrative of Trust. While Andrew makes many claims about his late wife, it isn’t until the last section of the novel that her thoughts are revealed. An interesting aspect of their relationship is their role as business partners- while Andrew served as the head of the business, Mildred was the key to his success. However, Andrew never managed to replicate her financial strategies. His failure is directly tied to his unwillingness to understand her love of music. 

                Andrew continuously discounts Mildred’s interest in music. Despite having attended many of her recitals, when asked about her favorite musicians, he cannot answer. His disinterest is not just limited to a lack of memory. When discussing her taste in music, he says, “I didn’t like most of the stuff” and “I always thought most people in the audience only pretended to like them” (278). Even after noting that Mildred seemed to understand the music on a greater level, he quickly brushes this aside, referring to it “irrelevant details” (278), then immediately referring to Mildred as “a simple creature” (278). Not only does he not understand her interest in music, but he outright dismisses music as irrelevant and simplistic.  

While Andrew’s dismissal of music could simply be a way of illustrating his lack of care towards Mildred, his behavior has a larger connection to what separated his intellect from Mildred’s. In Mildred’s diary, she uses music to explain her thought processes, connecting it to the stock market. When discussing her biggest success, she writes, “In 1929, everyone heard D F# E A, and listening ahead, thought A E F# D... [but] the response ringing in my mind was G C B♭ D” (399). While she clarifies that she was not hearing literal bells, she claims this is the best way of explaining what she perceived and thought. To Mildred, music is an important aspect of her thought process, and what she uses to explain complicated ideas. However, when she tries to explain math principles to Andrew, she writes that, “[he] either pretended to follow my explanation or lost patience” (386). Despite Mildred’s multiple attempts, Andrew is unable to understand subjects like his wife. Mildred largely expresses her knowledge through musical metaphors.  Andrew’s inability to understand her genius parallels his unwillingness to understand her music. Mildred even draws a connection between his failure on a financial level to his failure on a musical level, describing his attempts to replicate her work as “the right notes without any sense of rhythm” (380). Mildred sees a connection between his lack of understanding of stocks and business to someone’s lack of understanding of music and rhythm. Through music, Diaz can explore the two characters’ relationships and why, despite his best efforts, Andrew fails to even begin to match her business acumen.