Introduction
The Red Bow is a short story written by George Saunders. The text conveys an in-depth representation of a township and its response to a devastating event. On the one hand, the author describes individual characters and their approach to loss. On the other hand, the collective becomes a protagonist of sorts, with people presented as central. The story highlights the societal ability and power to come together, remain resilient, and remain strong in the face of tragedy.
Summary
The narrator is Ed, the father who recently lost his daughter, Emily. Her uncle Matt decides to organize an initiative to eliminate animals that can be infected. He may have caused the death of his niece, as they are dangerous for other children in the community. Not everyone agrees with the approach, especially Father Terry. However, the group of people ultimately decides in favor of the decision to euthanize pets that can harm others. By supporting the approach, individuals have shown their solidarity with Emily’s family and a sense of unity in the face of devastation.
Communal Effort
One of the main themes of the short story is the nature of coming together in the face of tragedy. One passage illustrates Ed’s sincere joy as he observes people “were trying, with their applause, to honor her” (Saunders 9). This highlights that the grieving father has support, and others were sharing his pain despite potentially not being close to him and his deceased daughter.
In this case, individuals empathized with the family and showed sympathy for their cause. Ed, his wife, and Uncle Matt were not alone in their pain; others took on the role of building a network of support. The authors evidence that, in a strong society, the individual is not lonely when facing difficulty. As a part of something greater, the other entities are either involved in solving the problem or offering solidarity.
Grief and Solidarity
Grief is the driving force in The Red Bow, as Emily’s uncle takes actions to avoid risks that could affect others in the neighborhood. In the text, there is a distinction between how the individual and the community experience it. For example, in the case of the girl’s mother, she becomes inconsolable and, as a result, unreasonably cruel, stating, “Kill every mouse, every bird. Kill every fish. Anyone objects, kill them too.” (Saunders 8).
In contrast, the collective response is based on resilience and unity. The following statement highlights the power of the group: “Now that we have known and witnessed this terrific pain, let us resolve it together” (Saunders 6). In this case, the author reflects on how a positive, proactive environment can overcome grief through action. Furthermore, while a single entity may not have the strength to overcome a difficulty, the solidarity of others provides the support system needed to make a change.
Resilience
The story describes many characters who cannot find resilience, as the meaning of their lives has been lost. Emily’s mother and father, specifically, are the ones most affected by the death of their daughter. Her parents cannot move on due to the extreme pain that they are experiencing.
Regarding Ed’s wife, he mentions that she “had not come out of our bedroom since the tragedy” (Saunders 4). Naturally, someone who experiences such devastation cannot move past it. However, society as a whole can exist as long as it is based on the common good, laws, regulations, and the benefit of the majority. Being a part of a group is linked to fortitude, as more effort is directed toward change rather than stagnation.
A Difference in Opinions
The Red Bow represents a social construct in a neighborhood. Moreover, the author has included a typical large-scale dilemma in a smaller setting. Specifically, the confrontation between Matt and Father Terry symbolizes a typical difference of opinion. On the one hand, Father did not want to allow others to euthanize his dog despite its being potentially infected with a virus that could spread to humans.
On the other hand, Terry would do everything to benefit others. He says, “His dog. Everything that’s his? It’s special, above the law” (Saunders 4). The instance is similar to situations in which difficult decisions are made at a state or federal level that may not benefit everyone, yet are designed to create a safer environment for individuals as a whole.
The message is that, as a member of a congregation, it is important to consider others and to distance oneself from personal interests while prioritizing the group’s interests. Living in an association, while beneficial, requires reflection on moral dilemmas that sometimes can only be resolved by causing disapproval among some. The method is intertwined with utilitarianism, as the objective is to create the greatest good for the greatest number of people (Marseille and Kahn). As laws are intended to build prosperity and reduce risk, Terry took on the role of policymaker to unify his neighborhood under a set of guidelines that not everyone agrees with.
Individual Responsibility
The topic of individual responsibility is closely related to the aforementioned concept of differences in opinion. Despite the community’s strength, it cannot exist unless each member understands and complies with the specific actions required for everyone’s sake. For instance, Ed mentions, “Had I simply risen from my computer and walked upstairs and gone outside”, which is remorse from a lack of involvement (Saunders 4). Even with many people in a setting, unless all of them are proactive, a crisis cannot be managed or averted. The reflection emphasizes that each individual can and should participate in creating a better world around them.
Conclusion
The short story portrays a community’s ability to endure hardship and remain powerful despite crises, a characteristic that singular individuals do not possess. A group is more likely to have more proficiency in addressing grief and difficulties. However, it is important for each member to participate and for the majority’s interests to be at the forefront of decision-making.
The author employs narrative tools to convey the message, including symbolism and character descriptions. The neighborhood symbolizes society as a whole; the ethical dilemma reflects conflict among demographics; and the individuals convey the roles of differing opinions and approaches. As a result, Saunders described a microcosm of a nation by depicting a small cohort facing devastation and overcoming it as a fellowship rather than independently.
Works Cited
Marseille, Elliot, and James G. Kahn. “Utilitarianism and the ethical foundations of cost-effectiveness analysis in resource allocation for Global Health.” Philosophy, Ethics, and Humanities in Medicine, vol. 14, no. 1, 2019.
Saunders, George. The Red Bow. Canvas, 2020.