The Stories Behind the Stories
Suff’rance
The title was taken from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, with the words spoken by Shylock, the moneylender.
The quote I was interested in reads:
"Still have I borne it with a patient shrug,
For suff’rance is the badge of all our tribe."
(1.3.105–106)
For some reason, the quote brought to mind the burden (or badge) of mothers, especially single mothers. I've met quite a few who struggled to bring up their boys. Before they realized it, those adorable bundles of joy turned into troublesome toddlers and rapidly morphed into sullen, sulky and sometimes smelly teenagers who towered over them and challenged their authority at every turn.
In spite of this, they worry. They just can't help themselves. Many of their waking moments are spent worrying. Worrying about the safety of their precious. Worrying about whether they've eaten. Are they sleeping well? Are they stressed about things? Are they telling lies? Are they involved in a gang? Are they doing something that will embarrass their mother? Do they have a future? But most of all, are they safe?
For the most part, these young men are unaware of it all. Or if they are aware, they are resentful and mother is a baddie.
For the mother, they'll just keep on worrying.
That is the badge of all their tribe.
Read an excerpt here.
Significance
How much does someone’s background matter?
This is one of the questions preoccupying the mind of James King, the main character in Significance.
All societies, be they in developed or developing nations, have a pecking order based on totally made up notions of importance. The people 'at the top' will promote - like a cure for cancer - and defend - to the death - their divine right to the 'best' schools, jobs, neighbourhoods, opportunities, financial products, etc. They don't want the people 'at the bottom' - the great unwashed - getting anywhere near grabbing distance of these treasures.
The ones who try to make it through are advised to be prepared to run the gauntlet of derision, ridicule, hostility and resentment before they're accepted. If ever.
Set mostly in New York's Upper East Side, this short story is very much about a man living the American Dream who faces the reality that sometimes, it's just not enough.
This man wanted much more. He wanted something that money just couldn't buy.
You can read an excerpt here.