In “Clients” by Kathy Page, we see how capitalism can take control of people’s lives and forget some of the simplest things, such as social interaction and the sentimental value of one another. In this story we are shown a couple that seems to be always out of time and unable to interact or lost the ability to communicate. They resort to hiring Martin, a conversationalist and therapist to generate the thought process and help teach them how to communicate with each other once again. In the end, they are seen to be taking control of their own actions and forgetting about the material possessions they own. The characters in “Clients” represents how a capitalist society can reprioritize certain aspects of people’s lives, regardless of your class
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Their portrayal throughout the story resembles those of a working class. The narrator describes the effort they put in prior to Martin’s arrival, “It’s a ritual: … open rustling packets of vegetable sticks, hold the wine glasses to the light” (103). How the narrator begins “Clients” with “It’s a ritual”, gives the impression that they do this frequently and could be working for someone, maybe Martin because that’s who they’re preparing for. The description of “rustling packets” and “glasses to the light” shows us that everything needs to be fresh and perfect. Their actions and expectations are held at a high standard by whomever they are entertaining. The couple’s level of professionalism and preparation signifies their place in society; as part of the working class. Their constantly busy schedule with work causes the inability to interact with each other. After talking with Martin for a moment, Anna complains “I never feel that I have enough time!” (104) and that “… we’re all slaves!” (106). The couple, both having their own jobs, are spending a majority of their time on their careers to the point where they rarely have the opportunity to interact and converse. Their life is revolving primarily around their jobs …show more content…
Martin was the only one given a detailed characterization, it gives us a perception of his place in society, as part of the upper class. The narrator describes Martin’s appearance when he arrives with a “a pale linen suit and faded terracotta shirt … gleam of his rich brown skin” (103), and also his physical attributes “a tall man, he moves in a loose, underwater way” (103). From the physical description of Martin, his “rich brown skin” and his attire “pale linen suit” gives us the notion that he is a well-groomed man and lives a more luxurious lifestyle. If he wasn’t in a higher class compared to the couple, the narrator probably would have provided a different description or not even give the image of Martin at all. His nonchalant demeanor shown by his movements “loose, underwater way” gives the image that he’s relaxed and there isn’t a lot of things that worries him; he’s able to do anything he wants. In a capitalist society the bourgeoisie are the ones dictating what the working class does and we are able to see how Martin is in better control of his own choices in life. Even though Martin is seen as the bourgeoisie in this story, he doesn’t completely escape the grasp of capitalism. Martin’s time is also taken due to work as he says “Now I fret because I can’t fit in scuba lessons on Fridays” (105) and
Their portrayal throughout the story resembles those of a working class. The narrator describes the effort they put in prior to Martin’s arrival, “It’s a ritual: … open rustling packets of vegetable sticks, hold the wine glasses to the light” (103). How the narrator begins “Clients” with “It’s a ritual”, gives the impression that they do this frequently and could be working for someone, maybe Martin because that’s who they’re preparing for. The description of “rustling packets” and “glasses to the light” shows us that everything needs to be fresh and perfect. Their actions and expectations are held at a high standard by whomever they are entertaining. The couple’s level of professionalism and preparation signifies their place in society; as part of the working class. Their constantly busy schedule with work causes the inability to interact with each other. After talking with Martin for a moment, Anna complains “I never feel that I have enough time!” (104) and that “… we’re all slaves!” (106). The couple, both having their own jobs, are spending a majority of their time on their careers to the point where they rarely have the opportunity to interact and converse. Their life is revolving primarily around their jobs …show more content…
Martin was the only one given a detailed characterization, it gives us a perception of his place in society, as part of the upper class. The narrator describes Martin’s appearance when he arrives with a “a pale linen suit and faded terracotta shirt … gleam of his rich brown skin” (103), and also his physical attributes “a tall man, he moves in a loose, underwater way” (103). From the physical description of Martin, his “rich brown skin” and his attire “pale linen suit” gives us the notion that he is a well-groomed man and lives a more luxurious lifestyle. If he wasn’t in a higher class compared to the couple, the narrator probably would have provided a different description or not even give the image of Martin at all. His nonchalant demeanor shown by his movements “loose, underwater way” gives the image that he’s relaxed and there isn’t a lot of things that worries him; he’s able to do anything he wants. In a capitalist society the bourgeoisie are the ones dictating what the working class does and we are able to see how Martin is in better control of his own choices in life. Even though Martin is seen as the bourgeoisie in this story, he doesn’t completely escape the grasp of capitalism. Martin’s time is also taken due to work as he says “Now I fret because I can’t fit in scuba lessons on Fridays” (105) and