There is a common phrase that goes: “A picture is worth a thousand words” When applied to writing, can we say that short stories are the picture to a novel's’ video? Countless authors have turned to short stories to give the readers a snapshot of a moment in time and presumably, a plot that takes place in limited time. In the cases of Deborah Eisenberg and James Joyce, they employ a unique theme that fits perfectly into the short trajectory of the story. Eisenberg and Joyce exemplify paralysis in literature since their respective characters reside in limbo between the constant reflection on past and inability to grasp the unforeseen future that propels the reader to a state of discomfort as they identify with the experiences being demonstrated.
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She experiences a similar situation as she reveals her own frustration with Oliver in the aftermath of his erratic outburst“ white space cleaves through my brain as if I’d actually slapped Oliver, but in fact Oliver is turning to me with concern.” (Eisenberg 54) The horrific realization that she cannot do anything to because an aggressive motion such as slapping Oliver will trigger the same guilt felt exposing him dangerous circumstances at a young age and hence, completely paralyze her. Additionally, it is vital to note her fascination with the past hinders the narrator’s ability to respond to the awkwardness for the duration of John and Oliver’s frigid encounter. Compromising the story around a contentious moment in a family’s attempt to bond makes the readers more receptive to the plot since we can connect with the tension being built up between family members and causes them to experience a parallel sense of …show more content…
Eisenberg constructs “The Flaw in the Design” in such a way that paralysis functions as a continual loop since it is the story opens up with the same instant that it ends with. To better illustrate this, the narrator commences by saying: "I reach for my watch from the bedside table and consider the dial - its rectitude, its innocent - then I understand the position of the hands..." (Eisenberg 49) The same scenario comes up the final paragraph as the narrator strives to escape from her strained everyday life by meeting with her lover ;"we had done it - the thought kept tumbling over me like pealing bells as we rose in the elevator, our hands lightly clasped" (Eisenberg 67) Circling back to the beginning of the story strengthens the idea that the narrator craves space to imagine a future of freedom but it is stifled by her family. Moreover, the narrator recognizes that her fate cannot be avoid when she glances at the watch that significanifies the end of the encounter and marks her return to the tedious family life that is permanent in comparison to the affair itself (Eisenberg 49). Undergoing this epiphany emphasizes the fact that the narrator does not possess any plan; whether it be telling her husband or remaining
She experiences a similar situation as she reveals her own frustration with Oliver in the aftermath of his erratic outburst“ white space cleaves through my brain as if I’d actually slapped Oliver, but in fact Oliver is turning to me with concern.” (Eisenberg 54) The horrific realization that she cannot do anything to because an aggressive motion such as slapping Oliver will trigger the same guilt felt exposing him dangerous circumstances at a young age and hence, completely paralyze her. Additionally, it is vital to note her fascination with the past hinders the narrator’s ability to respond to the awkwardness for the duration of John and Oliver’s frigid encounter. Compromising the story around a contentious moment in a family’s attempt to bond makes the readers more receptive to the plot since we can connect with the tension being built up between family members and causes them to experience a parallel sense of …show more content…
Eisenberg constructs “The Flaw in the Design” in such a way that paralysis functions as a continual loop since it is the story opens up with the same instant that it ends with. To better illustrate this, the narrator commences by saying: "I reach for my watch from the bedside table and consider the dial - its rectitude, its innocent - then I understand the position of the hands..." (Eisenberg 49) The same scenario comes up the final paragraph as the narrator strives to escape from her strained everyday life by meeting with her lover ;"we had done it - the thought kept tumbling over me like pealing bells as we rose in the elevator, our hands lightly clasped" (Eisenberg 67) Circling back to the beginning of the story strengthens the idea that the narrator craves space to imagine a future of freedom but it is stifled by her family. Moreover, the narrator recognizes that her fate cannot be avoid when she glances at the watch that significanifies the end of the encounter and marks her return to the tedious family life that is permanent in comparison to the affair itself (Eisenberg 49). Undergoing this epiphany emphasizes the fact that the narrator does not possess any plan; whether it be telling her husband or remaining