Question of interpretation

[Casper]

Eli. You're just making all this up, aren't you?"
Eli stroked the skeleton monster on her belly, let her hand stop right over the monster's gaping mouth.
"Do you still want to be blood brothers?"
Oskar took half a step back.
"No."

So my question is this. Does Eli ask this question as a test to what Oskar truly believes?
ie: If Oskar didn't truly believe Eli was a vampire, then he would have no problem cutting his hand again right there and then. I know she's not asking if Oskar wants to turn because she states that she doesn't want to turn anybody, least of all him.

Or is this question in reference to the kissing idea being preconceived in Eli's mind, and this is what she calls this idea, this memory sharing, being "blood brothers"?

She looked up at him. Sad, almost accusing.
"Not like that...

Like what? How does Oskar interpret this offer? Feeding on him? Cutting hands and turning him? Killing him?

I know in the large view of things, this really doesn't matter all that much, but I just wanted to see how other people interpreted these statements, especially with the subtleties of different language versions.

[a_contemplative_life]

I think Eli was forcing Oskar to make a decision about what he thinks Eli is. Sometimes posing a question solidifies a previous uncertainty in the responder's mind.

[metoo]

Or is this question in reference to the kissing idea being preconceived in Eli's mind, and this is what she calls this idea, this memory sharing, being "blood brothers"?

The Swedish original text uses the word ingå förbund (make a covenant), no talk about blood there. Oskar suggests to make a förbund when he cuts his hand, later Eli uses the term for the kissing/memory sharing. The English translation too strongly suggests blood mixing.

[Casper]

Or is this question in reference to the kissing idea being preconceived in Eli's mind, and this is what she calls this idea, this memory sharing, being "blood brothers"?

The Swedish original text uses the word ingå förbund (make a covenant), no talk about blood there. Oskar suggests to make a förbund when he cuts his hand, later Eli uses the term for the kissing/memory sharing. The English translation too strongly suggests blood mixing.

Ah, thank you, just what I was looking for.

[Nicro]

Having Swedes here is priceless

[rgh]

Having Swedes here is priceless

Absolutely! I appreciate the cultural insight and language issues with the translations they have brought forward (not only by the Swedes, but everyone in that region). Makes me wish I could read the novel in its native form to fully get the nuances that appear to have been lost in translation.

[sauvin]

Having Swedes here is priceless

Absolutely! I appreciate the cultural insight and language issues with the translations they have brought forward (not only by the Swedes, but everyone in that region). Makes me wish I could read the novel in its native form to fully get the nuances that appear to have been lost in translation.

Freaking A - and I love every single one of them. I hope NONE of them ever wander away!

[gattoparde59]

I always interpreted this as Eli being a bit of a block head. It being "blood" or not in the translation does not really change that for me. How can Eli ask something like that after what happened before? So I don't see Eli's question as calculated as a_c_l does. Oskar has returned to Eli and Eli is hoping they can pick up where they left off.

That is the novel's big question: can the relationship continue now that Oskar knows that Eli is a monster?

[Lucibel]

Just wanted to contribute with the Spanish version of this part:

"Eli acarició el esqueleto del monstruo que tenía en el estómago y dejando la mano quieta justo sobre la boca abierta del monstruo dijo:
—¿Todavía quieres asociarte conmigo?
Oskar dio medio paso atrás.
—No.
Alzó la vista hacia él. Triste, casi acusatoria.
—No, eso no. "


That specifc question was translated as: "Do you still want to associate with me?". No blood is mentioned in the Spanish version

[Casper]

Thanks Lucibel!