Sheila's Mants Isolation

Isabelle Ziv English Language Arts 10-1 Mr. Eddie April 8th, 2024 Reeling in Independence Both longing and love can be confused by the spiraling currents of adolescence, where a young boy’s desires run as deep as the river. “The Bass, The River, and Sheila Mant” written by W.D. Wetherell, is a captivating story that asserts how being emotionally fulfilled by others should not be your only reason for satisfaction. Whether it be Sheila’s Mants isolation, the protagonist’s fascination with her, or even the lessons learned within the protagonist, in order to be emotionally fulfilled, you must only depend on your own worth, rather than chasing acceptance of others. The human need for other people is not necessary to acquire your own sense of being.
In the example “It was her face that bothered me”. It had in its delightful fullness a very dubious expression.” (p. 2) the protagonist exhibits two conflicted views, of both admiration, and let down. While he looks up to the “delightful fullness” in her face, he also worries about her lack of gratification with having taken the canoe. Her expression is evident of a lack of being impressed, as she prefers a less uneventful activity. This was a disappointment for the boy, as all he ever wanted was the means of her approval. Sheila Mants’ confidence in her own life intrigues the protagonist’s ability to fulfill that, making him do whatever it takes to impress her. Being mesmerized by love can blind you from finding yourself. In the text “spent all of the following day polishing [the canoe]” (p. 2), it’s clear to depict the protagonist is obsessed with impressing her, doing something he wouldn’t normally do in order to accomplish that. The protagonist’s constant need for approval from Sheila Mant, shows his lack of acceptance within himself. The protagonist, stating how he “had learnt all her moods” (p. 1), also shows his admiration for her, and his desire to be the one who understands the behaviors enough to mend himself into the perfect man. The protagonist further loses the unique parts about him, like his love for fishing, something which defines who he is. When Sheila Mant mentions Eric Caswell's appearance at the concert, the protagonists never noticed her intentions of getting with Eric Caswell. His strong emotions of longing for love, made him oblivious to Sheila Mants’ true objective. She needed a ride, and the protagonist would always lend a hand at her convenience. The phrase “...the biggest bass I have ever hooked. Four, that Sheila Mant must not know.” (p. 3) shows the protagonist’s insecurity of her