No one is immune to the long-term effects of trauma on their emotional resilience. “The Size of Things” by Samanta Schweblin and “Memories of My Mother” by Ken Liu examine this issue extensively, delving into the repercussions of traumatic events on people. Through an analysis of these accounts, the essay delves into how trauma impacts resiliency, emotional intelligence, and the intricate dynamics within families.
In “Memories of My Mother,” the tale unfolds within the intricate context of Amy’s mother’s relationship with her own mother’s impending death and terminal illness. The imminent end of her mother from an incurable disease imbues the story with a solid emotional undertone (Andreas, 2020). Uncertainty and hesitation are a messy combination that characterizes Amy’s first response to her mother’s return from the hospital. This story captures a universally understandable subject: the tremendous emotional turmoil a child goes through when their parent is about to leave. The novel deftly navigates Amy’s internal struggles caused by her mother’s fleeting presence before moving on. This introspective struggle sheds light on Amy’s emotional landscape and the intricate dynamics at work when faced with impending loss. Here, exchanging gifts is more than just a ritual; it is a last-ditch attempt to create memories and ties that will remain before the separation (Andreas, 2020). While not perfectly matched and maybe not to Amy’s taste, the gifts stand for more than material goods; they symbolize a mother’s heartfelt desire to leave tangible proof of her presence. Because the story shows how the average bond between parents and children is broken, it makes the problem more personal (Andreas, 2020). Love, desire, and melancholy differ when the ordinary becomes extraordinary because of the impending loss. In light of the sobering reality of death, the story skillfully analyzes the intricacies of these relationships as they go along. Amy’s journey becomes a small picture of the human predicament as she walks the balance between being connected and confronting the ultimate fact of separation.
Unlike “Memories of My Mother,” “The Size of Things” introduces readers to Enrique Duvel, whose suffering is mainly shown via the strain in his mother-son relationship. Schweblin deftly compares the innocence and simplicity of childhood, which trauma often destroys, to Duvel’s need to seek sanctuary in a toy store. Because his mother rejected him, Duvel feels compelled to run away from his present predicament and, metaphorically, to a time before the horrible events happened (Ford, 2019). Schweblin skillfully analyzes how trauma impacts a person’s sense of self as he depicts Duvel running away from the painful realities of his history. In this context, the toy store becomes more than just a place to play; it becomes a sanctuary where Duvel may temporarily escape the complexities of his natural life. His attempts to regain control and stability in the face of the chaos that his trauma has caused in his life are rendered worthless, as seen by his sanctuary in a toy world (Ford, 2019). In Duvel’s journey through the toy store, Schweblin masterfully demonstrates the transformative power of escapism and the extreme measures individuals would take to escape the excruciating consequences of tragedy.
Different individuals cope with the devastating effects of tragedy in different ways; both “Memories of My Mother” and “The Size of Things” show this. Following Amy’s journey, “Memories of My Mother” offers a poignant look at the idea of getting away. In the enchanted night that her mother conjures up, Amy finds comfort while she suffers from a deadly illness and will soon lose her mother (Ford, 2019). Amy finds solace in the guitar, representing her unfulfilled aspirations amidst her inner storm. It represents her desperate attempt to keep to a schedule before the chaos of her loss sets in. The novel skillfully portrays the intricate dance between fact and fantasy that individuals go through while dealing with loss. Schweblin, conversely, introduces us to Enrique Duvel in “The Size of Things,” a guy whose coping mechanism is to flee inside a toy store. This refuge gives Duvel the strength to recover from his tragedy and regain control of his life. He meticulously rearranges the toy store to restore order to an otherwise disorderly setting as a kind of treatment. Ford (2019) claims that Schweblin’s narrative expertly explores the surprising means by which individuals attempt to safeguard themselves. The story shows how people overcome misfortune in many different ways and how resilient and creative the human spirit is via Duvel’s actions.
Last, “The Size of Things” and “Memories of My Mother” provide profound insight into the intricate relationship between suffering and the strength to cope. Through an analysis of parent-child relationships and the protagonists’ diverse recovery mechanisms, the stories delve into the complex emotional terrain caused by traumatic events. The reports show the strength of the human spirit as the main characters deal with sorrow, reject others, and attempt to return to normal after a terrible incident. Ultimately, the tales make you reflect on how tragedy impacts and transforms individuals.
References
Andreas. (2020, July 26). Memories of My Mother • 2012 • SF flash fiction by Ken Liu. Reißwolf. https://reiszwolf.wordpress.com/2020/07/26/memories-of-my-mother-2012-sf-flash-fiction-by-ken-liu/#:~:text=Synopsis%3A%20A%20young%20mother%20has
Ford, C. (2019, April 11). Mouthful of Birds reviews Samanta Schweblin’s alarming short stories—the Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/mouthful-of-birds-review-samanta-schweblin-s-alarming-short-stories-20190411-p51d4m.html
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