Lawn Party
Ann Beattie writes her short story "The Lawn Party" as a male narrator. Because men tend to be less emotional than women are, this makes the narrator's point of view more believable. Although this is a story that moves from one agonizing situation to another, the lack of human emotion leaves one with a somewhat empty feeling. One could infer that the author removed all sensitivity from the narrator in an attempt to make him appear aloof, indifferent, and even somewhat callous. The narrator lost his arm in a car accident. When asked if he would like a plastic arm or claw, he rejected both. When asked what he would like, he calmly responded "air". Later in the story, he complained that he has to sip beer because it would be annoying if he had to set the beer down to wipe his mouth. He also received a letter from the college where he worked, stating that they hoped all was well and that he would be back to work in the fall. His only thought was that it would be difficult
She responded by drinking heavily and crying. Later in the evening, one of his students came to visit him. His new wife would not see her sister again; however, he continued to see his wife's sister throughout their marriage, further demonstrating his lack if sensitivity. He had been spending the day with his wife's sister shopping. He demonstrated this indifference throughout the story by ignoring his daughters numerous requests for him to join her downstairs with the other guests. The only emotion he exhibits throughout the story was lust. His daughter appeared to have little to do with him and he does nothing to try to change the situation. He refused to go downstairs to the party and socialize with his relatives. Through all of this, he shows no emotion about loosing his wife, arm, or his mistress. Instead, his wife told him that he had deserved it. After the accident, his family had their annual lawn party. When his brother's wife came upstairs to see him, he flirted with her and asked to kiss her feet. He asked his fiancee to postpone the marriage so he could sort things out. The reader feels no sympathy for his character due to his steadfast lack of emotion. He spent the entire day upstairs in his room.
Common topics in this essay:
Lawn Party,
Ann Beattie,
wife's sister,
throughout story,
male narrator,
car accident,
lawn party,
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Acceptance Essays
