Mrs. Whipples Mistreatment of Her Son in Katherine Anne Porters He :: Katharine Anne Porter He Essays

Mrs. Whipples Mistreatment of Her Son in Katherine Anne Porters He The prevailing theme in Katherine Anne Porters fiction He is Mrs. Whipples concern everywhere appearances and particularly how her neighbors perceive her actions concerning her retarded parole. Many critics have written nigh Porters emphasis on appearances in this story. However, what lies under the surface of the story is in any case interesting. Contrary to both her actions and spoken words, it is clear Mrs. Whipple inwardly feels her retarded password is an animal and that she secretly wishes for his death. The story He is similar to another story of Katherine Anne Porters titled The Downward Path to Wisdom. Both stories depict children who be retarded, who are equated to animals by one or both of the parents, and who are wished dead or never born (Weisenforth 359). The title of the story He provides the reader with the starting time clue that the retarded son is de-humanized. Throughout the story the other devil of Mrs. Whipples children, Emly and Adna, are given names and are referred to by their given names. This is not true of the retarded son. Not once in the story is He called by his given name. In fact, the reader never learns his given name. The mischance to give the retarded son a name is similar to the elevate practice of giving names to pets further not to the ever-present resurrect animals. People generally do not name animals they plan on killing. Because Emly and Adna have names, they appear to the reader to be more human. In contrast, the adversity to name the retarded son makes him appear more animal-like or little than human. Another example of animal treatment takes place during family meals. The retarded son does not eat his meals at the table with his family. In a explanation of the retarded son, Porter writes He didnt whine for food, as the other children did, but waited until it was given Him He ate squatting in the corner, smacking and talk (597). When Mrs. Whipples brother comes for a visit, Porter writes He wouldnt come into the dining room, and Mrs. Whipple passed it send off very well (599). For appearances sake Mrs. Whipple loaded up a puffy plate for Him first, before everybody(Porter 599). The parallels to how people treat their dogs can not be overlooked. It is common practice for dog owners to train their dogs not to beg or whine for food.