It Would Be Different If By Maggie Mitchell

In the short story, It Would be Different If by Maggie Mitchell, the story takes place in Canada in the 80’s. The story is told in a first person narrative, but in an unreliable narration. “I’m trying to figure out what boat you are in,” (Mitchell, 169) as the narrator dwells on a past relationship, readers can get the sense of attachment and obsession for a man that is no longer hers. The main character Nikki, draws out an image of the fantasized life she is living, waiting on Jeff to be “reaching for” (Mitchell, 169) her again. Mitchell uses a substantial amount of symbolism throughout her story, leaving readers to question the true plot of the short story. “Here’s what I remember,” (Mitchell, 169) instantly, Nikki is telling a story that …show more content…
While fantasizing about Jeff coming into her hair salon, she gives him “the best haircut you will ever, ever get.” (Mitchell, 171) Jeff admires Nikki and her cutting his hair. She is painting an image from the past of Jeff and how she expects him to remain. “I used to cut your hair in high school, except I’m better now,” (Mitchell, 171) the author is using symbolization to refer to their relationship in the past. Applying that there used to be issues between the two, leading them to part ways, she now “promises that things will be different.” (Mitchell, 172) The author is telling the readers that Nikki’s character had done something in the past causing Jeff to leave and not want to be in contact with her anymore. Was it that she was too obsessive? Jeff felt suffocated by Nikki and now she is promising change if he were to come back. As Nikki is chalking up Jeff’s character to be “some life-sized sculpture” (Mitchell, 171) of hers, readers are finally able to confidently determine that Nikki is an unreliable narrator. Nikki’s story is telling her story to a level of extremity that even her own character feels sorry for the way that Jeff left her, however, this does not cause her to “hate him,” (Mitchell, 169) instead it causes her obsession to …show more content…
Nikki sees Jeff “everywhere” (Mitchell, 170) because she stays in the little town where he “ruined her life.” (Mitchell, 170) As the people in the town begin to lose their sense of pity for Nikki’s pathetic story, she shows anger that “now she’s the one they feel sorry for.” (Mitchell, 170) Making herself “remember to wait,” (Mitchell, 172) Mitchell takes the story into a dark shadow, with a very dramatic context of words, leaving readers feeling fearful for Jeff. “Locks of small terrified boys” (Mitchell, 172) are shaping the image that Jeff holds so dearly in Nikki’s