Summer, Indeed (SSRJ # 2)

                My first impression of the story took me back to a simpler time. This story is by far the best short story I have read so far.  Maybe because it hit so close to home or maybe because it steered clear of the unoriginal, played out, cliché happy ending.  Either way Updike did an amazingly masterful job of capturing the joys of youth of along with the uncertainty of adulthood.  I had a crush on a girl just like the story “Summer” one summer and never said a word to the girl.  I believe though that she felt the same way and it was sort-of an unspoken keenness between the two of us.  I had an amazing summer with her even though a relationship was never built with her, I can still look back and recall the memories of that summer any time I wish.

                     Updike’s use of a mellow, happy, and youthful tone throughout the short story “Summer” was made evident by the lack of drama and conflict in the story.  It was also made apparent by certain phrases he uses when describing the cabin and the land around it.  The narrator does build some tension though when referring to the feelings that Homer develops for Sandra; feelings he had never realized he had before this one summer and feelings he know he will never speak of and even if he could he would never be able to find the words to express those feelings. The tension becomes even more stressful when Homer finds himself alone with Sandra, and while intoxicated, almost rustles up the courage to make a move on her.  The tension then subsides and returns to a mellow, happy, and almost tranquil tone when Sandra and Homer part ways and move on to the next day.  The ending unified the tone for me.  Most people would have written the story with the cliché happy ending and have Homer kiss Sandra in the end but not Updike. He chose to stick with the peaceful tone and not take it over the top with happiness by having Homer and Sandra share only a small, but very significant, intimate moment when Sandra’s foot rests on Homer’s back and he puts his hand on the arch of her foot and that is all.  This was a sign that Sandra and Homer were going to move on with their lives without complicating it any further than they need to seeing as how school and adulthood were on the horizon.

Questions/Comments: Have you ever had a "summer love"? If so, how does this story compare to yours?  What do you think the authors theme was?  For all the older students, like myself, do you remember the uncertainty of entering "adulthood"? Did that make you nervous or scared? Or were you excited?