Thank you for this close reading of a story I've always loved.
I've always been puzzled, and remain puzzled, about Clark's thoughts at the end. Sometimes I find it strange that he's drifting off into a reverie that seems to be primarily about himself and his lack of talent.
And this: "He wanted to assure her that she had missed nothing." How could he feel sure that someone dying at the age of thirty-five had missed nothing? Or is he telling himself this to try to console himself about her death?
I suppose one of the reasons the story is so haunting is that these questions feel hard to resolve.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the post, Brian! I do think that ending could be interpreted different ways. I lean on the side of this is how he is attempting to comfort himself. I ponder this story a lot. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I feel like rereading her books now.
I linger on this line from Allison: “We’re exhausted. It’s good-night time.”
On my first read-through, I assumed that "We’re" referred to Allison and Clark, finding it slightly odd that she spoke for them both—perhaps Clark wasn’t sleepy; he gave no indication of being exhausted?—but I moved past that, figuring it a fair assumption given that he was seventy-eight!
Now, though, I can’t help but wonder: if the row of flickering jack-o'-lanterns represents her at the end, perhaps the slipped "We’re" was another indication that she was close to death—no longer thinking of herself as an individual and melding into the collective consciousness surrounding her.
Oh man! That actually gives me chills, but you may very well be right in your interpretation, Conlan. Now I have to read the story again with that in mind. Thanks for weighing in!
Thank you for sharing this, Kathy. I loved Why Did I Ever, but I've never read this story before. It's brilliant, and I really enjoyed your close reading.
I love this story so much. I vividly remember reading it in a Sudden Fiction anthology forever ago. I have never liked the title though and I struggle to remember it. It is sooooo generic. I think I call it "that pumpkin story." I wish there were emojis here. I would like to give this story some hearts. <3
So glad you enjoyed the post and the chance to revisit the story, Colleen! I feel like titles used to be simple like this, like "Yours," whereas now the style is to write longer titles. I admit I don't always remember the story is called "Yours," as well! That pumpkin story, ha. The George Saunders story, "Sticks," is taught so much that stays with me.
Thank you for this close reading of a story I've always loved.
I've always been puzzled, and remain puzzled, about Clark's thoughts at the end. Sometimes I find it strange that he's drifting off into a reverie that seems to be primarily about himself and his lack of talent.
And this: "He wanted to assure her that she had missed nothing." How could he feel sure that someone dying at the age of thirty-five had missed nothing? Or is he telling himself this to try to console himself about her death?
I suppose one of the reasons the story is so haunting is that these questions feel hard to resolve.
Again, thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the post, Brian! I do think that ending could be interpreted different ways. I lean on the side of this is how he is attempting to comfort himself. I ponder this story a lot. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I feel like rereading her books now.
I linger on this line from Allison: “We’re exhausted. It’s good-night time.”
On my first read-through, I assumed that "We’re" referred to Allison and Clark, finding it slightly odd that she spoke for them both—perhaps Clark wasn’t sleepy; he gave no indication of being exhausted?—but I moved past that, figuring it a fair assumption given that he was seventy-eight!
Now, though, I can’t help but wonder: if the row of flickering jack-o'-lanterns represents her at the end, perhaps the slipped "We’re" was another indication that she was close to death—no longer thinking of herself as an individual and melding into the collective consciousness surrounding her.
Oh man! That actually gives me chills, but you may very well be right in your interpretation, Conlan. Now I have to read the story again with that in mind. Thanks for weighing in!
Thank you for sharing this, Kathy. I loved Why Did I Ever, but I've never read this story before. It's brilliant, and I really enjoyed your close reading.
Thanks for reading, Alyson!
I love this story so much. I vividly remember reading it in a Sudden Fiction anthology forever ago. I have never liked the title though and I struggle to remember it. It is sooooo generic. I think I call it "that pumpkin story." I wish there were emojis here. I would like to give this story some hearts. <3
So glad you enjoyed the post and the chance to revisit the story, Colleen! I feel like titles used to be simple like this, like "Yours," whereas now the style is to write longer titles. I admit I don't always remember the story is called "Yours," as well! That pumpkin story, ha. The George Saunders story, "Sticks," is taught so much that stays with me.