|
SINKING HOUSE
First published in The Atlantic
261 (February 1988): 53-9.
Contemporary Literary Criticism,
volume(s) 90:48.
Short Story Criticism, volume(s)
16:153, 155.
Posted by Charles S. on May
07, 2000:
I recently read this story
and was analyizing the story, but I'm fustrated and confused
with the story's use of water imagery? what does this tell us?
If you could explain this story to me briefly that would be helpful,
It's been a week since I've read it and I'm deperate to find
out whether or not this water represents insanity or not? Thanks
in advance.
Charles S., risenshine@sprint.ca
Posted by TCB on May 12,
2000:
Dear Charles S.: As you may
know, it's against the rules for me to interpret my own stories.
I hope others out there will chime in. TCB.
Posted by Matthew Healy
on May 13, 2000:
I'm no expert at analyzing
literature, but it seems to me that the water is a symbol for
the women's lives in this story. Muriel is washing away the grief
of her life in a tangible way, drowning away her sorrow if you
will, and that touches Meg's life. In the end Meg too,
is tempted to turn on the water and wash her life away, because
Sonny is a precursor to Monty, and Meg recognizes this in some
fashion. When Muriel drowns away the material reminders of her
life with Monty it inspires Meg to do the same. So the water
becomes a very positive, cleansing affimation of the female perspective
of the story. In any case, right or wrong, this was my read on
the story. Hope it helps.
- - - - -
Posted by sorehand on September
22, 2000:
In Reply to: Sinking House?
posted by brynn on September 22, 2000 at 11:46:24:
What is Sinking House about?
Making choices with your life. The unfortunate compromises we
can make between the sexes. Where the future meets the past(Muriel
could be the future of Meg. Both women having trouble with seemingly
arrogant and stubborn men).
>Mic
Posted by TCB on September
23, 2000:
Dear Sorehand/Mic: Nice question,
nice interpretation. Others want to weigh in? TCB.
Posted by mary on September
23, 2000:
There are 2 classes of unhappy
women- the compulsive eaters and the compulsive cleaners. Rather
than scrubbing, Muriel just turned the water on and let her rip.
It seemed to do a pretty good job of washing away the remnants
of a pretty unhappy-sounding life.
Posted by Matthew Healy
on September 24, 2000:
What a clever response to
the story! I tried dissecting it on an earlier response but lacked
your brevity and wit. With all sincerity--no one line analysis
could capture the story as you did. Congrats.
- - - - -
© Copyright 2001, Sandye
Utley
Last Page Update: 16 March
2001
|