The Sisters, Joyce
THE SISTERS
A young boy, who lives with his uncle and aunt, is concerned about a man who has had his third stroke. He passes by this paralyzed man's window every day watching for the candles that will signify his death. The boy thinks over the word "paralysis" in his mind and ponders on its strange sound: "I said softly to myself paralysis. It had always sounded strangely in my ears”. One night at dinner a friend named old Cotter visits the family. Old Cotter has come to the house to share the news that Father Flynn is dead. It's a "peculiar case," old Cotter remarks, referring to the ill man whose name is Father Flynn. The uncle comments positively on the friendship between Father Flynn and his nephew. The priest had acted as a mentor to the boy in hopes he would enter the priesthood. Old Cotter insists, however, and insists that young boys should play with people their own age. While the uncle agrees with Old Cotter, the aunt is disturbed that anyone could think critically of Father Flynn. She asks Old Cotter to clarify his point, but Old Cotter trails off and the conversation ends.
Old Cotter’s comments keep the boy awake, who is angry that old Cotter has called him a child, he thinks about Father Flynn, his paralyzed face and moist lips and he dreams of Father Flynn smiling and confessing something to him. moving as if in confession. The following day, he goes to the house where he used to visit Father Flynn bringing him, on occasion, snuffing tobacco from his aunt, High Toast snuff, and Father Flynn would teach him things, such as Latin pronunciation and the parts of the Mass. Instead of knocking, he walks away and reminisces about the time he spent there. Remembering Old Cotter’s cryptic comments, the boy then tries to recall more of his dream from the night before, but he can remember only a Persian setting—he cannot remember the end. Outside, a placard announces Father Flynn's death and the boy realizes the reality of death. He knows he should feel
A young boy, who lives with his uncle and aunt, is concerned about a man who has had his third stroke. He passes by this paralyzed man's window every day watching for the candles that will signify his death. The boy thinks over the word "paralysis" in his mind and ponders on its strange sound: "I said softly to myself paralysis. It had always sounded strangely in my ears”. One night at dinner a friend named old Cotter visits the family. Old Cotter has come to the house to share the news that Father Flynn is dead. It's a "peculiar case," old Cotter remarks, referring to the ill man whose name is Father Flynn. The uncle comments positively on the friendship between Father Flynn and his nephew. The priest had acted as a mentor to the boy in hopes he would enter the priesthood. Old Cotter insists, however, and insists that young boys should play with people their own age. While the uncle agrees with Old Cotter, the aunt is disturbed that anyone could think critically of Father Flynn. She asks Old Cotter to clarify his point, but Old Cotter trails off and the conversation ends.
Old Cotter’s comments keep the boy awake, who is angry that old Cotter has called him a child, he thinks about Father Flynn, his paralyzed face and moist lips and he dreams of Father Flynn smiling and confessing something to him. moving as if in confession. The following day, he goes to the house where he used to visit Father Flynn bringing him, on occasion, snuffing tobacco from his aunt, High Toast snuff, and Father Flynn would teach him things, such as Latin pronunciation and the parts of the Mass. Instead of knocking, he walks away and reminisces about the time he spent there. Remembering Old Cotter’s cryptic comments, the boy then tries to recall more of his dream from the night before, but he can remember only a Persian setting—he cannot remember the end. Outside, a placard announces Father Flynn's death and the boy realizes the reality of death. He knows he should feel