Down At The Dinghy Analysis

Similar to de Daumier-Smith and Elosie, Lee, Arthur’s co-worker, listens as his hopes are suddenly crushed by Arthur’s words. What seems to be an innocent conversation between two co-workers soon turns into a guilt trip for Lee. Initially, it would seem that Arthur confides in Lee so much as to tell him about Joanie’s misbehaviors and trust issues (180). Lee, on the other hand, is simply listening to Arthur’s sermon, so as to not draw any suspicion to the fact that Joanie is in the room with him. Lee’s attentiveness and willingness to provide advice for Arthur allows Lee to justify, and cover up, the fact that Joanie is cheating with him. For example, while giving some advice to Arthur, Lee states, “All right. All right. Let’s try to take it …show more content…
During the entirety of the story, Lionel shows into a state of depression whenever he hears anything negative being projected toward him or his family. Thus, it causes him to run away, a simple psychological mechanism that comforts him during his time of pain. Lionel, essentially, wants to escape from all the negativity or hateful comments about him or his family, and be in his own bubble. As such, by attempting to run away, he hopes to gain happiness in a desolate place by himself. This is exemplified when he runs away at the age of three to the mall in Central Park (117). Boo Boo states, “ ‘They found him at a quarter past eleven at night, in the middle of -- my God, February, I think. Not a child in the park’ ” (118). This shows that Lionel runs away to someplace desolate where there is no one around to spill any hateful comments or rude. However, regardless of the comments stated by the other kids, or anyone for that matter, Lionel cannot face any type problem, or dispute, at all, thus must resort to running away. It becomes obvious that Lionel must be in his own hate-free zone, or else be tempted to run away from his home, thus escaping reality. He imagines his world as perfect, without any hostility or adversity, but fails to realize that the world filled with people who constantly curse, swear, or ridicule others. As such, Lionel’s problem will continue to haunt him …show more content…
Throughout the story, Teddy seems more interested in spiritual, and philosophical, questions as well as mystical experiences than being regarded as highly skilled academic. As such, he envisioned himself as a mystic in his previous life, progressing spirituality, and being able to enter Brahma (287). However, the connection that he once had as a mystic was ultimately severed by a lady who caused him to stop mediating and cease to be mystic. Thus, Teddy seeks to once again approach Brahma and transcend into another being or dimension. However, Teddy states, “I mean it’s very hard to meditate and live a spiritual life in America. People think you’re a freak if you try to”, signifying that transcending proves to be more difficult than in his previous life (287). Although his hopes are not completely shattered, he knows that the chances of achieving them are second to none. Furthermore, this knowledge causes him to believe in the uselessness of emotions, thinking them placeholders instead of sentiments that having value (284). With this realization, Teddy chooses to see beyond his own existential and spiritual being and focus on doing what he can while he is on Earth. He helps other professors see beyond their logical capabilities and attempt to have people transcend with him. Essentially, Teddy, who realizes that his hopes are almost unachievable, attempts at