'uncah bubba

“Gorilla, My Love.” For whatever reason, I locked on the character’s (Hazel’s) intelligence as one of the key factors in the story as an initiation story. Hazel comments how she’s the smartest kid in public school 186, she offers expert criticism of the story of Jesus Christ by describing how foolish it is to get nailed to a cross, etcetera. Now, this is an important element of the character, but when I opened up the “masterplots” article, the word Pride struck me in the face. And it was correct- intelligence is a subservient trait to pride in the story. I’m kicking myself a bit for not noticing that; I’ve seen pride and discussed pride a number of times before hand, but somehow it just slipped past me as though I took it for granted. On the other hand, maybe the story is just written so well that these concepts, like pride, can just slip past the reader.

Pride is the center element of the initiation story, here. Hazel pride in her perceptions and beliefs about the world – her belief that her uncle meant to marry her – cause her suffering when she experiences the revelation that she was incorrect. What elements are in the story? That is, if I were to write a thesis about this story, what could it be? I suppose it would focus on perception and self-image, along with narrative structure and colloquial diction. How Hazel’s own proud perceptions drive the action and development of the story, et cetera. But, I’m probably not going to write that thesis. I plan on doing something with “The Secret Sharer” for my affinity for Joseph Conrad. I read the story last summer before reading Heart of Darkness, but I should refresh my memory, and quickly, since the first essay is due fourteen days from now.

By the way, Go Bulls, clinching their first playoff appearance in eight years. Been a long ride to get to this point.