I really enjoyed this short story. I felt like it was an odd perspective of writing; the narrator was dreaming of the beginning of his parent’s relationship. Often, the narrator interjected when he is coming out of his dream-like trance and actually interrupted the other people around him. He is clearly sitting in a movie theater and not paying attention to the actual movie. This is evident in the second paragraph when the narrator says “I have forgotten myself: it is always so when one goes to a move; it is, as they say, a drug.” I was oddly surprised to find out on the fourth page that the narrator who is the “I” in this piece is actually a man. This person was very emotional and I just associated the way he expressed feeling with a typical women. Saying that, I am not alluding to the fact that women are always more emotional; but I am a women and I know I am more emotional than most males I know.
I really enjoyed this piece, as I typically like works that show the culture of the early 1900s. The Roaring 20s are my favorite time period, but I digress. Some parts where I thought this was evident were the parts where it was described what happens when the “father” first arrives at the “mother’s” house to pick her up for a date. Times have really changed and some of the mannerisms shown in this part are very old-fashioned.
I thought it was interesting when the parents were on the merry-go-round, because it was stated earlier that the mother did not want to bother with the “riotous amusements” that were at Coney Island. It seemed like she was very into the ride because she wanted to acquire more rings and did not. I thought this showed the mother reaching a certain comfort level with the father, which is crucial in a relationship.
I really felt like this short story relates to my life in a way. At one point in the story, the narrator leaves his dream and streams out in the movie theater “Don't do it! It’s not too late to change your minds, both of you. Nothing good will come of it, only remorse, hatred, scandal, and two children whose characters are monstrous.” I think this shows that the narrator’s parents’ marriage ultimately ends badly, which I have seen in my own life. My parents are still together, but many of my friends’ parent’s marriages have ended badly and in scandal. Of those friends, many often mention that they wish they could go back in time and tell their parents to break up before they got married at all.
Exultant: filled with or expressing great joy or triumph
“My father becomes exultant, lifted up by the waltz that is being played, and his own future begins to intoxicate him.” page 477
Demurs: to make objection, esp. on the grounds of scruples; take exception
“My father suggests the best restaurant on the boardwalk and my mother demurs, according to her principles of economy and housewifeliness.” page 476
Revery: the condition of being lost in though
“...scarcely as he though it would be, on his long walks over Brooklyn Bridge in the revery of a fine cigar…” page 477
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