Day 18.2: Eudora Welty's The Key

[sunshowerdandelion]

Okay a very involved, very detailed short story. Incredibly tender as well, especially the part where the deaf-mute husband and wife reflect about their shared dreams for a 'proper' start to their marriage at Niagara Falls. I love how the husband is distinct from his wife: he is clearly set in his beliefs that happiness will happen at random, and so treasures the key that he finds, whereas the wife is more grounded and guards the key from the stranger whom, unbeknownst to the couple, actually owns the key. The ending is quite shattering too. Also the narrative voice, with the 'involved' narrator, approaching as if they were an interloper, a stranger, is incredibly unique.

Welty hated Carson's guts but she is her own universe, her own wonderful voice. Really excited to read more of her work; she has such a patient narrative voice. Compared to Carson she's a little prim, compared to O'Connor she's less fiery in terms of activism, but she's funnier than either I think.