Save as Many as You Ruin Essay Example

which is clearly a negative occurrence, before highlighting the positive moment of Hetherington crossing the finish line.

On his way home from work, Gerard is surprised to see his old love, Laurel, through the falling snow. He is so shocked that he has to stop and question whether his eyes are deceiving him. He manages to get her attention but begins to doubt whether approaching her was a wise decision. He wonders if he should have simply continued walking. However, they end up engaging in conversation during which we discover that Gerard's wife, Issy, has tragically passed away. She had traveled to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an actress but unfortunately drowned in a pool there.

We later discover that Gerard was involved with both Issy and Laurel simultaneously. According to Gerard, he vaguely recalls feeling in love with Laurel while desiring to have a sexual relationship with Issy. This illustrates a contrast in his emotions towards the two women. However, Gerard ends up marrying Issy due to her pregnancy, as he has to consider the child. Another instance highlighting Gerard's extreme mood swings is when he reflects on Laurel's career. At present, Laurel is forty-three and holds a senior editor position for business books. Additionally, she used to own a cat, but unfortunately it passed away.

Knowing that her cat died might seem like an unnecessary detail, but it provides the reader with a deeper understanding of Gerard's emotions. Despite his past love for her, Gerard's thoughts are not solely consumed by her. Shortly after their encounter, he notices that Laurel is wearing the same heels that Issy used to wear. Gerard first recalls Issy and

her refusal to take off her heels, and then later observes Laurel wearing similar ones. Overall, the tone of the short story is distant and cynical.

The text has a primarily cynical and formal tone due to its use of short, declarative sentences. For instance, the author presents a cynical mood when describing Gerard's presence at Issy's funeral in LA, stating, "She was found floating in a pool. She’d written Gerard’s name as her next of kin. Los Angeles was seventy-five degrees and dry. The air-conditioning in his rental car smelled like candy." I believe the title of the story alludes to Gerard's life; he endeavors to rescue others but inadvertently destroys them in the process.

The protagonist's actions have a negative impact on Laurel's life, as he ends their relationship through an email. However, he later attempts to redeem himself when he coincidentally reconnects with her after eight years. In a similar manner, he tries to protect Issy by moving in with her and taking care of Lucy, but unfortunately, Issy ultimately passes away and the circumstances surrounding her death remain unknown. Currently, the protagonist is focused on safeguarding Lucy, but he is uncertain if his efforts are sufficient. He contemplates seeking guidance from a child psychologist when Lucy starts inquiring about her mother.

Gerard is uncertain about whether it's a good decision for Laurel to move in with them, although he is certain that she will. His mind is consumed by thoughts of Issy, her laughter, and the sound of flames at her cremation. In summary, Gerard appears to be a contradictory person who strives to protect those he cares about but often doubts himself and

his choices. This impression is reinforced by his contemplations of various matters such as his prep school teacher.