Tension In 'Up The Coolly And The Departure'

Tension is defined as “pleasurable excitement and anticipation regarding an outcome, such as the ending of a mystery novel”(reference.com). In Hamlin Garland’s story, “Up the Coolly” and Sherwood Anderson’s story “The Departure”, both authors portray the tension at a subtle amount throughout the story. In Sherwood Anderson’s short story is about a man makes a life changing decisions which causes the past to fulfil his brain and make him realize that all his memories were made in Ohio. Now that he has made the decision moved to New York, the people who surround him give him advice and get him ready for what the city holds for him. In the same way, “Up the Coolly” provides a dark and depressing vibe that is expressed off the main character Howard

Similarly, both short stories share a time when they were or going to be leaving home which made them appreciate what they had or have more. For instance in “Departure”, ““The son had become taller than the father. On the station platform everyone shook the young man’s hand. More than a dozen people waited about.”(Anderson 7). Evidently, when this occurs it displays how much he had grown and how much love and support everyone was showing. Also, it gave the reader anticipation and wanting to read on to find out what experiences he may take on. In “Up the Coolly, similar events occur with the growing up/apart, for example, ““He began to feel that in the pleasure and excitement of his life he had grown away from his mother and brother.”(29). Nevertheless, this proves how there seemed to be tension within Howard and his family. Although his family moved from their house and yet they grown apart, he seems to still hold on the memories and love for both his mother and brother. Given these points, both “Departure” as well as “Up the Coolly” include tension and mystery when making life decisions and finding out shocking news, but at the same time holding on to the past while they still