Symbolism In Mary Robison's Short Story 'Yours'

In Mary Robison’s short story “Yours”, there are numerous symbols which stand for the broad topics of death/dying, courage, love, compassion, etc. Even incorrect assumptions: about age bias, how we view each other, to how a reader might incorrectly assume and expect (until the end) that it’s Clark who’s dying. At present, this story was personally a bit too poignant. However, on a few rereads I also saw the strength and sincere love in the story.
Primarily, I see the pumpkins as the most overt symbol, illustrative of the many aspects that people go through when dealing with the knowledge of their impending death. In this case, it’s Allison’s death, as well as what her death means for her husband, Clark. The progression of terminal cancer transforms

and ravages the body as the person moves onward to death. The pumpkins also represent the transformation and changes taking place in Allison, from her disease. Similarly, how each are coping with her imminent death (which they both believe was still a few weeks away).
In the beginning of the story, the pumpkins are intact and uncut, like the strong love between Allison and Clark.

One can’t see inside the pumpkins. At first, I felt like the story wasn’t permitting me to look inside, to know what was actually taking place with this couple. As it turns to evening, the couple gut and carve the pumpkins, which are now transforming into jack-o-lanterns. At the same time, I’m also seeing more inside the couple’s story. They each have a very different carving approach. Allison’s pumpkins are rudimentary and malformed, as though she isn’t that interested in carving them. A sign that she’s reconciled to her death and accepts it, so the pumpkin carving isn’t that momentous an event, for her. Clark skillfully carves his pumpkins with detailed expressions depicting disbelief, raw anger, and a happily peaceful smile, displaying his grief process. From denial, to anger, and finally

acceptance.
Though, not everyone goes through all the stages of grief, and sometimes they can get stuck in anger or depression (or any stage). I know this is true, from my own personal life experiences. Eventually, most will reach the stage of acceptance, as Clark has. There’s also Clark repeatedly telling Allison her pumpkins “are better than his”, while she notes he’ll see that they’re not, once they’re lit. As he looks at the lit jack-o-lanterns while (presumably) calling 911, and they stare back; I can imagine that Allison’s words had a deeper meaning. Her jack-o-lanterns signaled that she was very much NOT better, at all. Without elaborating too much more on the pumpkins, since it’s known they’re also associated with Halloween (All Hallows Eve, Eve of All Saints, Eve of the Dead, etc.), a reader knows the month is October. Halloween originated from the Celtic ‘Samhain’, and carved pumpkins or turnips were thought to ward off evil spirts. The day after, heralded the beginning of Winter and death, and consequently the end of life and light. It’s the use of light that brings me to the next symbol that stood out to me.
Harmoniously, the use of light is mentioned in several ways throughout the story. Upon rereading the story (with the knowledge that Allison will begin to die, in just a few hours), I saw several instances where lack of light is representative of Allison’s imminent death. Initially, it’s twilight when the story begins. Accordingly, the phrase “twilight years” often refers to the later years in life. A stage of old age, where people might face their impending death, yet generally can simply mean the end stage of life. The story moves from twilight to night, identical to how Allison moves towards the moment of her death. The lights are also out across the ravine (a ravine can also symbolize death, in that it’s a gap that needs to be crossed—like the passage of life to death).
Nonetheless, I understood that the most important light symbols are the vigil candles.

Meant to signify Allison’s death, Clark’s yet to come memorial for her, and the cancer that is killing her. Vigil candles are used in numerous ways, but one of the most common is found in Catholicism. The vigil lights (in combination with prayer), are used to memorialize the dead and take place before the funeral (usually overnight). Offering comfort, hope, and closure to those morning a death. Candlelight vigils don’t only belong to the Catholic church, they take place in many cultures, too. Moreover, they have become a popular way to unite people over disease awareness, various causes, to people uniting over socially impactful deaths in their community. It often brings people together to take solace in each other, and pay tribute to the

deceased.
Plausibly, I presume that Allison is dying of cancer, as observed by her wigs, dying at an unexpected age, and that she “begins” to die. As though it will be a painful and somewhat extended death; one occurring over minutes to hours. Not an instantaneous death. I’m not sure what kind of cancer she has, since it’s never directly mentioned. Still, it’s interesting to note that the story takes place in October, which has been national Breast Cancer Awareness Month for almost four decades (it started in the early 80’s). Relatedly, every October there are countless candlelight vigils to honor those who’ve survived, passed away, and are currently living with breast cancer. As well as loved ones affected by someone with breast cancer. It could mean nothing, but I found it rather apt. Even if it’s only coincidental. On a final note, what struck me was how Allison tells Clark ‘“Don’t blow out the [vigil] candles. I’ll put in new ones tomorrow”’. Extinguishing a flame can represent death, while keeping a candle lit, often indicates hope. She’s confident she still has time left, and that she’ll wake to another day of life. Those words affected me, as they’re equally heartbreaking and optimistic.