Thursday, November 19, 2009
Clutter's Journey
Herb Clutter reminisces to Bobby Rupp about a childhood incident in which a blizzard descended on Western Kansas on Christmas. He was a youth of Kenyon's age. His family was saddened at the prospect of a snowbound Christmas with no presents under the tree. Clutter volunteers to travel to town to buy presents. He almost is lost on his return, however, and nearly dies of exposure. All the time he is worried about his family worrying about him. Yet, when he arrives home safe and sound the house is dark and everyone is fast asleep. What does this memory tell us about Mr Clutter? What does this memory of a memory tell us about Bobby?
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Mr. Clutter’s story about Christmas says a lot about him as a person. Mr. Clutter starts off by telling Bobby that “there were seven of us. Mother, my father, the two girls, and us three boys” (205). This tells the reader that Herb came from a rather large family. He also explains that his family lived rather far from town on a farm. This helps to explain the why Mr. Clutter lived on a farm when he grew up; it was something he always grew up with. It helps visually to describe the classic American town as well. Herb then lets the reader see again his sensitive side. His mom and sisters were upset about the lack of presents under the tree and Mr. Clutter being the nice man that he was, offered to go and buy presents for everyone. This illustrates that Mr. Clutter is willing to sacrifice a lot for those who he cares about. More importantly, Herb had a chance to stop at a neighbors but he kept going because of the emotions he felt for his family. After getting lost, Herb said, “I prayed. And I felt God’s presence” (206). This illustrates how religious Herb Clutter was. This dream illustrates a lot about Bobby as well. One see’s that Bobby is truly in love with Nancy because on Christmas he made “a three-mile walk, he had had to fight through deep drifts” (205). Bobby was willing to push through the snow much like Mr. Clutter to see the one he cares about. The reader sees that Bobby is very similar to Mr. Clutter in this way. Also, Bobby is taken in by the Clutter’s and is really just a part of their family. The fact that Bobby is remembering this memory illustrates how close he was to the Clutter’s and how much he still misses them.
ReplyDeleteThe story that Mr. Clutter tells Bobby illustrates a lot about what kind of people Mr. Clutter and Bobby Rupp are. Mr. Clutter is very family oriented. It seemed as though Mr. Clutter looked forward to his Christmas traditions with his family every year. For example he says, "For that reason it was custom to do our Christmas buying in a bunch--make the trip once and do it all together"(205). Mr. Clutter had the tradition of buying his whole family presents so they can celebrate the holiday together. As well, when Mr. Clutter found out that hey would not be able to go Christmas shopping that particular year, he needed to do something about it. So he went out into the freezing cold and bought his family presents because he couldn't bare to see that, "Mother and the girls were heartbroken"(205). Mr. Clutter found it important to keep his family happy because he always finds the need to give respect to the people that he cares about the most and that care about him. Mr. Clutter was not even a bit upset when the house was locked, he just continued to give his family the presents and forget about the whole situation. Mr. Clutter carries on this tradition when he makes his own family as Bobby talks about how he went over the Clutters every year and took part in their family traditions.
ReplyDeleteThis memory illustrates what Bobby Rupp is like too. Bobby is still devastated about what happened to his girlfriend Nancy. The fact that he brought up this story, proves that he is very sentimental and that basically all he can think about at the time is the Nancy and the rest of the Clutter family. As well, Bobby remembers this one story in particular. The fact that he remembers this one story in particular shows that he had a very good relationship with Mr. Clutter. He seemed to enjoy Mr. Clutter's stories, and always took part in the festivities that Mr. Clutter held. The narrator says, "...He had to fight through deep drifts. IT was worth it, for though he was numbed and scarlet, the welcome he got thawed him thoroughly"(205). Bobby was always welcome in their household, and he had an good relationship with Bonnie Clutter as well as she "hugged and kissed him, insisting that he wrap up in a quilt and sit close to the parlor fire"(205). The Clutter family was very important in Bobby Rupp's life.
This memory not only tells us multiple things about Mr. Clutter and Bobby Rupp, it also stands as a metaphor for Bobby’s journey throughout the story. While before, everything was normal, happy and there was a sense of togetherness. And now there’s no way that things could get better. All that it is left of Bobby Rupp’s life is a christmas tree with no presents underneath it. There is the potential for a good life, a happy life, with lots of friends and being a star basketball player, but he lost the significance with the death of Nancy Clutter, his true love. This memory also tells us a lot about Mr. Clutter and his devotion towards making people happy. The fact that he was willing to practically risk his life for the happiness of his family shows not only his caring for people but also for his willingness to help others. The expediency of his return also shows his determination and his want for making other people’s lives better. As for what this passage shows us about Bobby Rupp, it shows that he still cares about Nancy. He hasn’t moved on from her as of yet, and still wishes her to be alive. Though it hurts, it’s better to remember than to forget.
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