Death's sentence

Adam Stephanides · 21 Apr 2000, 23:22 · from urth-v0028.mbox · original

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From: Adam Stephanides <adamsteph at earthlink.net>
Subject: (urth) Death's sentence
Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 23:22:40
Message-ID: <urth-v0028-0926 at digest.urth.net>
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Here's my take on the meaning of Dr. Death's closing words.  Just as
Ransom will temporarily destroy Dr. Death and escape the island, but
will relive his ordeal every time Tackman rereads the story, so
Tackman's escape at the end of the story from his damaging home life is
only temporary.  When his mother recovers, he will be sent back to her
and she will continue neglecting him and exposing him to her lovers and
her drug-filled parties.

I don't deny that there are overtones of Tackman's fictionality, but I
don't think that's the primary meaning.

--Adam

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