The Arms of Saturday Night

I think this story focuses a lot on sexuality. Specifically, the sexuality of a young woman. The narrator is a young girl, and she wants to go to a party to see her crush. She even implies that she wants to have sex with him. However, her plans are stopped when her uncle dies. The family had the viewing on the same day of the party, so she can only attend one or the other. Of course, she goes to the viewing. But she still wants to go to the party regardless. After the viewing is over, she even asks her mother to go. Her mother doesn’t permit it, but she doesn’t stop her either. The narrator is about to leave, but she meets with her cousin Alan and they talk for a bit. They eventually leave, and Alan takes her to the train station.

While I think that sexuality is an important thing, I wouldn’t consider it more important than familial issues. I understand that the narrator is young, but I think it’s important for her to stay with her family during this hard time. There will always be other times to have sex or party. But something like this is just too devastating, and I disagree with her actions. Her family even expresses their feelings about her actions, yet she seems to be okay with that. I can’t fault her too much, especially since she’s a young girl. But a part of me wishes she was more sensitive to how her family feels.