Presence of Desire in Three Short Stories

Human beings behave the way they do due to inherent urges that give them the impetus and the drive to do so. A person without these urges which have been commonly referred to as ambitions, goals and aspiration in life is in most cases considered to be a social liability lacking in both direction and purpose in life. This is a life that is worthless and insignificant. It is the direction in life, the burning aspirations, dreams and desires that push individuals to pursue their goals oblivious of the dangers, challenges and setbacks that swarm in pursuit of their desires. Some will even stop at nothing in order to satisfy this burning desire. This could possibly lead people to become violent, contemptuous, and be involved in activities that they would otherwise not participate in. This paper seeks to discuss the notion of desire through the lenses of three short stories: “The Swimmer” (desire of youth), “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Desire for Beauty) and “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” (Desire for Lust and Looks). Desire is something that you cannot control, and the nature of desire can lead to one's ultimate fate. In "The Swimmer, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", and "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" we see character's desires lead to a costly price.

Desire

Desire is the motivation that catapults every mental script into action. It is the energy and the power that makes movement possible. It fires in men and women alike, the need to make incredible efforts in order to achieve their ultimate goal. It is a force that has shackled many a people in slavery due to its immense power and allure. Most people find it hard to reign in their desires which continue to rule over their minds, action and lives. Desi...

... middle of paper ...

...s lust hunger urges satisfied. Desire also knows no class or status in the society, and can even lead the “high and mighty” folk to do things that do not benefit their status. This is observed by the actions of the queen in the story “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”. It is imperative to note that desire matures into an obsession that blinds the individual from the reality of life into doing things that one would consider immoral and unethical.

Work Cited

Cheever, John. The Swimmer. The Art of the Short Story.1976. 123-131.

Grim, Jacob, and Grim, Wilhelm. "Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs." Web. 5 June

2012. .

Oats, Joyce. Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? The Art of the Short Story. 664-

675.

William, Irvine. On Desire:Why We Want What We Want. New York : Oxford University Press,

2006. 11-55.