In the short story “Proving Up” by Karen Russell, the reader is introduced to Miles and his family, the Zegner family. The Zegner family is a family of farmers who is extremely devoted to “proving up”. Miles is confused about his family’s obsession with wanting to “prove up”. The story presents the idea that greed leads to death and shows how Miles eventually gets influenced and becomes greedy throughout his journey to “prove up” for his family. In the end, after the confusion of his family's obsession , Miles becomes obsessed with “proving up” and shows a dark side of himself when he encounters the “willowy man” that leads to his death.
Miles is confused about his family’s obsession with obtaining the title and wanting to “prove up”. He questions,
Miles is confused about his family’s obsession with obtaining the title and wanting to “prove up”. He questions,