Minimalism means simple, fewest, or least. Something is done or created using simple things to get a great effect. Such as redecorating a room in a house using the simplest, cheapest materials to make it look very expensive.
In the story when Bill goes into the neighbors apartment to feed the cat and water the plants, he goes through the whole house examining everything in detail. These are just everyday things that everyone has in their house be the fact that it is not his house makes it exciting. Bill goes through the medicine cabinet, the liquor cabinet, the cupboard and all the food, even the refrigerator. He examines everything very carefully, he even tries on their clothes and eats their food. Everything in the neighbors apartment, Bill probably has in his, but the thrill of being in someone else's apartment is intriguing.
At the end of the story Arlene is in the apartment, but we are not sure what she is doing in there so long. She discovers pictures. Everyone has pictures, simple, but what kind of pictures makes Bill curious. Then Arlene realizes she had left the key in the apartment and the door is locked. Again, a simple everyday thing, we all do it. But, how would they get it out, will their fantasy be revealed?
I was wondering some of the same things. How will they get that key? What exactly were there fantasies? Will the Stones be mad when they come back to find some of their stuff missing or that the Miller's went through their belongings.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that this story is simple and has little "meat" to it but that effortlessness makes your mind wonder so many things.
Just in reading your post I saw how your thoughts about everything that went on in the story was so much different than what I imagined. I was appalled that he was going through their stuff and wearing Harriet's clothes.
This is why adding very few details can make a story become so much more. I would love to know what everybody else imagined as they read this story!
So what do you think? Great questions!
ReplyDeleteWell, they live in an apartment so the landlord probably has a master key. But, they would have to explain why they need to be let in and why they were nosing around in the apartment. If Arlene left the pictures out, that could be another question for the landlord. I think the pictures are sexual. That is why Bill and Arlene stay over there so long each time they visit. They are fantasing about their own sex life. This is why Bill is so aroused lately. I believe they both have found the pictures. If Bill and Arlene do get the apartment open and put everything back in place, I do not think the neighbors will even notice anything different about the apartment. But, on the other hand if they do not get in, the neighbors will be very angry with Bill and Arlene but at the same time ashamed at what they found.
ReplyDeleteSherry, I'm right there with you. I really enjoyed this short story and it really made me think about what I would do if I was faced with a similiar situation. You really don't know someone until you see how they live. But then you question whether this is moraly right to be snooping through their things while they are away. I really hope that they can find a way get back into the apartment because I would love to know what is on those pictures:)
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