In Aimee Bender’s The Rememberer, she utilizes a non-linear timeline to draw the reader’s attention and enhance the overall effect of metamorphosis. Apart from the obvious transformation of man to animal, Bender also alludes to the transformation of Annie’s relationship with Ben, as well as the concept of letting go. The story begins with the halfway point of Ben’s devolution, a month from the beginning of his transformation. At this particular point in time, Ben is presented as a sea turtle. Annie describes the measures she initially takes to hide Ben’s rapid degeneration from humanity. Such measures include lying to friends and acquaintances and seeking advice from a local biology teacher. Later along the timeline, however, Annie begins to
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As time goes on, Ben’s condition causes him to forget and become less and less capable of communicating, effectively creating distance between himself and Annie. With Ben’s condition worsening, Annie’s hope continues to dwindle, leading to the changes in their relationship. Inevitably, Annie gives up on Ben completely and ultimately lets him go. Coupled with the magical elements of Ben’s devolution, Bender employs a non-linear timeline to further magnify the effect of his transformation. Furthermore, the realistic components of this story, including the setting in Annie’s and Ben’s home, as well Annie’s realistic character, are combined with Ben’s political criticism of the state of humankind to achieve the overall effect of the …show more content…
He expresses his distaste for the rapid progression of humankind, saying “Annie, don't you see? We're all getting too smart. Our brains are just getting bigger and bigger, and the world dries up and dies when there's too much thought and not enough heart.” From Ben’s perspective, humans are gradually losing their humanity as they allow their thoughts to suppress their emotions. Ironically, as Ben devolves, he progressively loses his own humanity. Moreover, Ben’s opinions act as a catalyst for the process of his degeneration. Throughout Ben’s devolution, Annie and Ben gradually grow apart. From Annie’s perspective, Ben’s degradation disengages him from humanity. Annie utilizes the different creatures that Ben becomes to symbolize her own sentiments throughout the process. When Ben’s devolution begins, he becomes an ape. Annie’s reaction is nonchalant, stating that she “didn’t miss human Ben right away; [she] wanted to meet the ape too, to take care of [her] lover like a son, a pet; [she] wanted to know him in every possible way but [she] didn’t realize he wasn’t coming back.” Annie believes this initial change to be no cause for concern, she even hopes to care for him like a son, she wants to familiarize herself with him in every possible way, regardless of whether he is human or not. On an evolutionary scale, apes are the closest relatives to humans and Ben still recognizes Annie and retains his memories.
As time goes on, Ben’s condition causes him to forget and become less and less capable of communicating, effectively creating distance between himself and Annie. With Ben’s condition worsening, Annie’s hope continues to dwindle, leading to the changes in their relationship. Inevitably, Annie gives up on Ben completely and ultimately lets him go. Coupled with the magical elements of Ben’s devolution, Bender employs a non-linear timeline to further magnify the effect of his transformation. Furthermore, the realistic components of this story, including the setting in Annie’s and Ben’s home, as well Annie’s realistic character, are combined with Ben’s political criticism of the state of humankind to achieve the overall effect of the …show more content…
He expresses his distaste for the rapid progression of humankind, saying “Annie, don't you see? We're all getting too smart. Our brains are just getting bigger and bigger, and the world dries up and dies when there's too much thought and not enough heart.” From Ben’s perspective, humans are gradually losing their humanity as they allow their thoughts to suppress their emotions. Ironically, as Ben devolves, he progressively loses his own humanity. Moreover, Ben’s opinions act as a catalyst for the process of his degeneration. Throughout Ben’s devolution, Annie and Ben gradually grow apart. From Annie’s perspective, Ben’s degradation disengages him from humanity. Annie utilizes the different creatures that Ben becomes to symbolize her own sentiments throughout the process. When Ben’s devolution begins, he becomes an ape. Annie’s reaction is nonchalant, stating that she “didn’t miss human Ben right away; [she] wanted to meet the ape too, to take care of [her] lover like a son, a pet; [she] wanted to know him in every possible way but [she] didn’t realize he wasn’t coming back.” Annie believes this initial change to be no cause for concern, she even hopes to care for him like a son, she wants to familiarize herself with him in every possible way, regardless of whether he is human or not. On an evolutionary scale, apes are the closest relatives to humans and Ben still recognizes Annie and retains his memories.