On Tidy Endings by Harvey Fierstein - Essay Example

June 2, Critical Article Review: “On Tidy Endings” by Harvey Fierstein The article en d “On Tidy Endings” written by Harvey Fierstein presented interesting issues relating to ironing out differences between an ex-wife, Marion, and the partner of the ex-husband, Arthur, after the death of the man they both loved, Collin. In addition to these main characters, there was Jim, the eleven-year old son of Marion and Collin, who seemed to exhibit anxieties in having to face apparent ridicules from the death of his father due to AIDS. The main argument in the article was that people, who were left with the death of a loved one, usually have feelings of bitterness, contempt or anxiety due to the fact that they really do not know more about what happened in each other’s’ life from the time that the person common to them left or died, in the process. Initially, it was presented that Marion, while waiting for Arthur, had expressed feelings of anxiety and apprehension in terms of anticipating the impending meeting between them. It was evident that Marion had almost no knowledge of Arthur regarding his feelings and perspectives on which items could be given away or should be retained. This fact could be revealed while Marion was conversing with June Lowell, her lawyer, in terms of an insurance policy that was left in Collin’s safety deposit box and which confused Marion regarding confirming full ownership; despite Arthur’s alleged knowledge of its existence. Likewise, there was also the instances where Marion searched through the apartment and tried to reserve some souvenir items, like the blue Art Deco teapot and the framed watercolor painting. The subsequent discussions that happened between Marion and Arthur confirmed that there were errors in judgments and in perceptions regarding deciding ownership of things that were left in the apartment. There were confirmed bitterness and feelings of envy as revealed by both Marion and Arthur from having to share their lives with a common man: Collin, which was only discovered during their conversation. This awareness and enlightenment was only made possible with the meeting and communication between the two. As relayed by Arthur, he apparently detests Marion’s intrusion into his life by trying to get him out of the relationship at the soonest possible time. Also, there was a hidden blaming for Arthur, as expressed to be possible from the point of view of Jim. Marion was noted to indicate that Arthur could be intimating that Jim might be distressed due to the fact that the AIDS that his father had apparently contracted could have been derived from the connections with him. Likewise, there were issues regarding answering sympathy cards sent by distant relatives and friends which were noted to have already been answered by Marion, but where Arthur insisted that he would like to personally respond and express gratitude to. All of these incidents confirm that Marion and Arthur were strangers to each other and do not know anything about each person’s feelings, sentiments, and stories relative to Collin. Finally, by relaying their respective stories, and sharing what have transpired with their lives when Collin was with them, Marion and Arthur slowly enhanced each other’s awareness on their true identities and the current status or condition of their lives now that Collin has died. Marion was able to express how she learned to accept that Collin indicated sometime within their marital relationship that he had in fact living a lie, since he preferred to establish and develop homosexual relationships. On the part of Arthur, he revealed his challenges and trials in taking care of Collin in his final years due to the illness; as well as happy memories through the mementos that they gathered as they sought various alternative treatments for his AIDS. Finally, on the part of Jim, with Marion’s invitation, the child was made to realize that Arthur would remain part of their lives. The process assisted in developing a common ground and empathizing with each other’s hardships in life due to their common sharing of Collin, at different points in life. The enhanced understanding erased the anger, bitterness, any jealousy or pain that initially provided the barrier in their relationship. In the end, it was proven that by being given the opportunity to understand each other’s challenges, difficulties; and the fact that they both genuinely loved Collin, the bond that was apparently established between them made matters clear and assisted in ironing out their differences. One thereby agrees with the author’s main argument that only when people, like Marion and Arthur, who seemingly were conflicting parties from the start, due to their intimate relationships with the same man, Collin; would be given the opportunity to communicate and relate personal convictions, feelings, beliefs, and plans in life, would they be able to iron out conflicting ideas and assist in tidying endings, as the title of the article indicated. Work Cited Fierstein, Harvey. "On Tidy Endings." James, Missy and Allan P. Merickel. Reading Literature and Writing Argument. Longman, 2010. 463-480. Print. Outline: Critical Article Review: “On Tidy Endings” by Harvey Fierstein Introduction: general statement on the article written and the author who wrote it. Thesis statement: people, who were left with the death of a loved one, usually have feelings of bitterness, contempt or anxiety due to the fact that they really do not know more about what happened in each other’s’ life from the time that the person common to them left or died, in the process. First Support: Marion, while waiting for Arthur, had expressed feelings of anxiety and apprehension in terms of anticipating the impending meeting between them. Marion had almost no knowledge of Arthur regarding items could be given away or should be retained; Marion and Arthur confirmed that there were errors in judgments and in perceptions regarding deciding ownership of things; Second Support: confirmed bitterness and feelings of envy as revealed by both Marion and Arthur from sharing their respective lives with Collin Arthur hates Marion’s intrusion into his life by trying to get him out of the relationship at the soonest possible time; Arthur thought Jim blames him for his father’s contracting AIDS They have different ideas regarding responding to sympathy cards; Third Support: by learning from each other’s stories, they removed the barriers between them Marion accepted the fact that Collin was gay; Arthur relayed the life of challenges looking for cure for Collin; Sharing their experiences helped in understanding their true feelings. Conclusion Read More