Clara And Aubergine Of The Prospectors Summary

The protagonists Clara and Aubergine of the The Prospectors by Karen Russell have a mutually beneficial relationship, but to a greater extent, one grounded in necessity. I will be linking this relationship to the archetypal relationship between an innocent maiden and an enabler. The innocent maiden is Clara and Aubergine is the enabler; throughout the story Aubergine entices Clara and pushes her to using her charm at parties. However, that is not to say that Aubergine did not need Clara. Clara and Aubergine needed to combine their strengths to survive on their journey to the west. Clara’s knowledge of the upper class allowed for her to blend in at social gatherings. Clara had developed a familiarity with the mannerisms of the rich and understood how to act around them. This allowed the duo to sneak into the wealthy’s parties without raising alarm. In addition, Aubergine had selective knowledge on theft, and the skills needed to get away with it. The duo played on each other’s strengths throughout their journey to the west, with Aubergine teaching
The two started off as uneducated women stealing from the rich; later they would become the prospectors that they dreamed of before they started. Along with this the duo is a prime example of the enabler and maiden archetypes. These archetypes link with the theme of the story; unconsciously using people can be detrimental to any relationship in society and or personal life. Aubergine thought she was helping Clara when she took her away from Florida. Aubergine wonders throughout the story whether or not this was an excellent decision to take Clara. “My apology opened outward, a blossoming horror. I’d used her bruises to justify leaving Florida. I’d used her face to open doors” (214). Aubergine understands that she used Clara; additionally, without Clara’s knowledge of the wealthy and Aubergine’s knowledge of theft they would not have