Analysis of Wallow's Character in Haunting of Olivia - Essay Example

Character Analysis of Wallow’s Character in the Story ‘Haunting of Olivia’ At the beginning of the story, the narrator, Timothy Sparrow, tells the audience about the character of his elder brother, Wallow, as being adventurous and curious about superstitions. The narrator says this of his brother: “…My brother Wallow has been kicking around…. embarrassed to admit that he doesn’t see any ghosts” (Russell). From this line, the reader has an understanding that these are minds of young children who think they can find the ghost of their long-gone sister. Whether ghosts exist or not is a subject worth of discussion by those who believe in their existence. As the story develops, it is revealed to the reader that Wallow aged fourteen and his brother (the narrator) has been having numerous trips to the lake shore in search of their dead sister (Russell). They repeatedly scavenge through the boats at the shore with the hope of having a glimpse of their dead sister. The reader is able to notice the bully nature of the elder brother through the younger brother, who says, “On land, Wallow’s a loutish kid. He bulldozes whatever gets in his path: baby strollers, widowers, me” (Russell). These lines gives the reader an understanding of the kind of character Wallow sometimes retrieves into when he feels that he has all it takes to be a bully. This also explains why he drives the brother in search of the sister’s ghost. From the story the reader is also able to comprehend that the parents of the two children have resumed travelling to third world countries since the death of their daughter. This is because they feel the sons are grown enough to take care of themselves. As the story comes to an end, the reader understands that nothing positive comes out of the brothers’ search for their sister’s ghost. Throughout the story we come to an understanding that all they have been chasing are small and tiny fish; they were holding onto the imaginations and fantasies of ghosts. Throughout this illusionary search, the reader can understand that they are still young, developing minds that can believe in anything. As much as the reader might see both brothers as superstitious, there is a consensus that they are just adventurous boys driven by curiosity to find out why things happen the way they do. In reference to the bullish nature of Wallow, the reader understands that in absence of constant care by the parents, the elder brother will always want to be protective of his younger brother. Character Traits of the Story’s Characters The character of Wallow in the story “Haunting of Olivia” is caring. As an elder brother, and at fourteen years of age, he protects his brother, who is twelve, because the parents are rarely with them (Russell). When they are scavenging the boats to find anything of value, the reader discovers that Wallow remains in control and keeps watch for the safety of both of them. This can be seen when he says to his brother: “All right, bro,” Wallow says. “It’s go time.” He takes my elbow and gentles me down the planks with such tenderness that I am suddenly very afraid. But there’s no sense making the plunge slow and unbearable...” (Russell). Moreover, Wallow is imaginative about nature and superstitious. He refers to the anniversary of his late sister as “unbirthday”. Since the sister died on that material day, he feels that it is her unbirthday. The reader knows that this cannot be termed as unbirthday. Wallow says, “…that means that tonight is Olivia’s unbirthday, the anniversary of her death” (Russell). The imagination and superstition in these lines is revealed from the fact that Wallow thinks that the opposite of birthday celebration is unbirthday. This is in reference to death anniversary of Olivia. Moreover, by believing that Olivia’s ghost is in existence and they ought to look for it, it is an act of superstition. Ghosts are not things that exist but they arise out of people’s imaginations. Besides, the adventurous and experimental trait of wallow is revealed. The brother says this of his brother, “I wanted Jiffy…Wallow wanted prescription painkillers and porno…” (Russell). The experimental character is revealed in these words where the reader is able to notice that Wallow intends to obtain painkillers perhaps to kill pain he has for the loss of his kid sister. Wallow has just turned fourteen and this is a prime age for adolescent and hence his desire to obtain the porn materials. With the porn movies, they watch using their grandmother’s prohibited cable set-box. This is an age where most adventures are done, particularly when there is lack of strict monitoring from parents. Even though they had to be accompanied by a guardian, the trio set out to visit the Granada beach cottage. This is against the Herb’s crab sledding policy. This supposed visit is what caused Olivia’s death. She vanished in the foamy water: “….she flew out over the rock crags and into the foamy water …When they finally found Olivia’s crab sled, it was halfway to Cuba, and empty” (Russell). From this experience, the reader understands the reason why the boys are searching for their sister’s ghost in the water. They still believe that they can get a glimpse of their sister on her death anniversary. Wallow can also be described as intelligent and wide-minded. On top of it, all they have a sense of creativity in their quest to find their sister’s ghost. The boys rent Gannon’s boat every night to help them in looking for the ghost on the island. The narrator says, “…We are working our way around the island, with Gannon’s Boat Graveyard as our ground zero…” (Russell). The lines reveal their creative mind in hiring a boat for their success. At this tender age, such kids cannot think of hiring a boat to boast their search for their sister’s ghost. It is evident that Wallow is an intelligent boy. This goes on for quite some time without bearing any fruits. The search enters the third night and the boys are ready to continue until their parents return back from their trip. Their creativity and intelligence go to an extent of making marks to note the places they have already searched without success. What’s more, they have no idea of what they would do with the ghost. They have a notion that the ghost might have a passion to stay in the waters. They have developed wild ideas about preparing a pool for the sister’s ghost. There are so many “what if” questions which they seem to have no answers to. In the perception of Wallow, Olivia is not dead, and hence he is determined to save her life. Even if two years have passed since her demise, Wallow is not having any fear of finding his younger sister and bringing her back home. He is not afraid of ghosts, a trait he wants his younger brother to possess. The younger brother also notices that Wallow does not have any signs of fear in his voice. He is focused on the task. When Wallow suspects fear in his younger brother, he asks, “…telling me you’re afraid of your own kid sister...” (Russell). The phrases stated show signs of not giving up that easily until the mission is accomplished. Wallow is determined that his brother must help him in the search without giving up. He is of the opinion that his kid brother must not fear anything. Wallow is also brave and determined. When his younger brother is on the verge of giving up due to the chilliness and coldness of the sea water, he encourages him to move on with the hope of seeing the ghost of his sister. “The younger brother says, “Um, Wallow?” I gasp, spitting out the snorkel. “I don’t think I can do this.” Wallow replies, “Sure you can.”” (Russell). This he does with the hope of encouraging him to continue the fruitless search. When the brother asks him what they would do if they found Olivia’s ghost, Wallow vehemently replies that they would give her an everlasting Saturday night’s companionship. Their bodies become numb while they still under the water. Throughout their fruitless search, they see glowworms and remember the imaginative mind of their sister, especially her wild tales. The narrator says, “…I loved Olivia…she was one weird little kid…” (Russell). These thoughts are the driving force for the two boys in enduring all the agonies just to find their sister’s ghost. The phrase shows the reason why the search has to continue. Therefore, through these memories, Wallow is determined to get her sister. On the contrary, Wallow can be described as a spoilt irresponsible boy. This is evident when they return back to their Granana’s house only to watch porn on their Granana’s prohibited cable box. The parents seem to mind less about their behavior which contributes to their experiment with Demerol. The narrator says, “But we still have half an hour on the sled rental” at this time they have abandoned Olivia to play by herself at the beach knowing it is very dangerous especially at nightfall. This is contrary to the trait earlier mentioned in regard to his caring nature. Besides when the brother suggests they should go back, Wallow seems not to care about him at all. The brother says, “Wally!” I blubber, a last-ditch plea. “This is crazy. What if something happens to me in there and you can’t come in after me? Let’s go back.” But Wallow replies rudely, “What?” Wallow barks, disgusted. “And leave Olivia here for dead? Is that what you want?” From this conversation, the reader is able to note the irresponsible nature of Wallow. He does not care what happens to the younger brother. He only wants to fulfill his selfish ambitions of chasing for the ghost. This very selfish and irresponsible of him different from the earlier trait identified that he is caring. At the end of the story, Wallow can be described as an optimistic boy. He still has hopes of finding her sister someday. Even though their four night search was futile, Wallow believes Olivia is somewhere and at some point she will be found. The narrator says, “Olivia could be everywhere.” This statement in itself can mean a lot in terms of having hopes for the future search of Olivia’s Ghost. Despite the boys having their goggles fogged up, this will not kill their optimism to find their lost sister’s ghost. From this story, the character of Wallow has been built in-depth by the narrator and the characters in the story to give a clear overview of wallow’s character to the audience. Though he is a minor, they are traits he posses that may befit an adult. Such traits mentioned include; determination to the mission at hand, sense of imagination and caring to that effect. Besides, Wallow is important in the entire story because the story begins with him and ends with him. Much of the plot is built around him. The narrator says this in the beginning of the story, “My brother Wallow has been…” this opening sentence is essential in building the plot of the story. The phrase indicates that the story will revolve around him and hence he is going to contribute to the major events of the story. Work Cited Russell, Karen. “Haunting Olivia”. Debut Fiction, the New Yorker. 2005. Web. 18 July, 2012. Read More