In Three Bedrooms in Manhattan, the narrative arc revolves around the notion of time. Time can be measured in many ways. According to the O.E.D., time is “a point or fixed part of the year, a season. In later use chiefly in time of year, or with preceding modifying word.” A year is a measurement that relates closely to time. Year-Marked means “to be marked as a result of age or the passage of time.” Year-hedged means “(of a hedgerow) that has been pruned or cut a year ago.” Year-counted “means (of a person’s life) measured by counting years.”
The book opens with a concern to time. The opening line starts with, “He woke up suddenly at 3:00 A.M.” The book continues to go on and describe the events of his neighbors in great detail by laying out a timeline of their typical Friday night. The drunken events of Friday nights are written about in a way of preciosity, “Always the same time, give or take a few minutes.” Not only is the word time continually used in describing these events, but the word is also used throughout the book to mark significance. These moments are essential to the relationship between him and Kay. Later in the book shows how the word time marks pivotal points in their relationship, “Strangely, it was those words that made him look at her for the first time as a woman.” the idea of Kay spending time in a psychiatric hospital soon how changed how he viewed her. The idea of having to spend time in a hospital altered Francois impression of Kay’s life.
Later in the novel measuring time in hours is a significant focus of Francios' when he and Kay go out to bars and walk around the city. Francois speaks about the moments he gets to spend with Kay, “Who knew anyways, if they'd still be together in an hour, in an hour and a half.” He seems to question and struggle with time throughout the book. This may be because he uses time to value the objects in his life. Sometimes that object is himself, Kay, or the time he spends with Kay. Francois uncovers many...