On Happy Endings, by Margaret Atwood.
What a lovely little ditty! Immediately I was jealous of the idea. Again...I seem to be running into this choose your own adventure scenario everywhere I go. Ok, so this isn't exactly a choose your own adventure, more like a spoof - which is why I love it. "John and Mary Meet. What happens Next? If you want a happy ending, try A."
In the very beginning the words concoct this sing-song narrator voice full of overly-saturated sweetness. "They both have worthwhile and remunerative jobs which they find stimulating and challenging.They buy a house. Real estate values go up."
The tone in this piece is lighthearted in juxtoposition with the actual content (which is very sad) and it makes the reading go by very fast. I can see myself using this technique to make fun of these modern notions of poetry and story endings.
"You have to face it, the endings are the same however you slice it. Don't be deluded by any other endings, they're all fake, either deliberately fake, with malicious intent to deceive, or just motivated by excessive optimism if not by downright sentimentality."
I love how the only authentic ending is death. John and Mary die. John and May die. John and Mary die.
Indeed, so much for endings. Like this class :(
Beginnings are always more fun. I have to say, though, that I enjoyed very much the stretch in between with all of you.
Now on to my other what's....
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