A Bruise The Size And Shape Of A Door Handle by Daisy Johnson, 2017
The magic trick:
Making the literary device obvious but its meaning far murkier
Two stories this week about houses that take on human characteristics.
First, “A Bruise The Size And Shape Of A Door Handle,” an odd, sad story by Daisy Johnson.
Our protagonist Salma moves in with her father after the death of her mother. She then begins a romantic relationship with a girl that isn’t altogether healthy. Speaking of not altogether healthy, we should mention that the house is starting to take on a human role – not quite antagonistic but not quite friendly.
We can now see that the story is a great example of setting up an obvious literary device that doesn’t have an obvious meaning. Of course, we understand the house’s connection to Salma, her feelings, and her relationship are not to be taken too literally. This is a metaphor, we know. A symbol. Something! It means something!
But what does it mean exactly? That is not nearly as clear.
And that’s quite a trick on Johnson’s part.
The selection:
Salma had read books where couples kissed, spoke in platitudes or come-ons; something about to happen, hinted at. Beyond that there was always only a white space on the page. A gap between paragraphs. She had thought often about what went on there. On the other side, when the letters appeared once more, couples smoked or drank tea or dressed one another or themselves. If there was a book to be written about Margot it should be blank; it would be those sex spaces between lines, sucked clean of words.
As always, join the conversation in the comments section below, on SSMT Facebook or on Twitter @ShortStoryMT.
Subscribe to the Short Story Magic Tricks Monthly Newsletter to get the latest short story news, contests and fun.
Short Story Magic Tricks 