In two of Saunders' last short-stories that I've read, "Victory Lap" and "Tenth of December", the characters fantasy lives play a major role. As a reader, it takes a while to sort out which pieces are happening in someone's imaginary world or in reality, especially in Tenth of December. In both of these stories, when reality punctures the fantasy, there is a violent interruption that disrupts innocence. It comes across similar to awaking from a nightmare, disoriented and disturbed.
For example, the opening pages of "Victory Lap" describe Alison in her reverie. Her innocence is illuminated when she is standing at the top of the marble staircase, deciding who to choose to be her "special one". Saunders presents her thoughts in there purest form to emphasize her innocence. Everything that she thinks about is joyful and optimistic, and it is no surprise when she gladly opens the door for the "meter reader." After the incident is over, Alison comes back to reality and calls the police. However, her life is critically altered after the event. For months she has strange anxiety dreams where she encounters insurmountable obstacles and has nightmares of Kyle bringing the rock down upon the kidnapper. Despite the fact that the stories do not end as badly as they could or as one may expect them to be, the characters' innocence are tainted and lives transformed.
I believe that Saunders makes an interesting contrast between innocence and violence in both stories. In each, there is a sudden fate to the characters as they transition from their fantasy world to reality. In "Victory Lap," it quickly escalates from Alison on her marble staircase to being held by a man with a knife. In "Tenth of December," his chasing of imaginary Nethers to save the cute girl in his class causes him to fall through ice. In each story, their innocence is crushed by what happens to them in the real world.
I agree. I like how you used the word "Innocence" to describe what the characters are losing or what is being affected. It captures how caged they are or make themselves, and when reality sets in, it alters their entire character. Also, good connection between the two stories with violence and innocence, I agree that they are major components of each story.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the both of you, especially that the word "innocence" is an appropriate encapsulation of each character's state. I think desire for oblivion often accompanies innocence, and I think that's evident in both of Saunders' stories. Both characters construct a fantasy world in which they thrive, until reality forces its way into their lives, as if to be popping their "fantasy bubble". I do think they're conscious of reality, though, they just choose not to accept it. Are they acting similarly to Ned in "The Swimmer" by neglecting reality?
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