"The Fix" Reading Response

My first initial reaction when I began reading this short story was, "tell me more." Even from the very beginning, when the author is introducing the reader to Douglas and Sherman, you get a sense of the place and these characters. And at first, you don't really know who exactly the story is about - whether it's about Douglas or Sherman, or whether it's about both - in the end, it may not really matter. Though I believe it to be about both.

"Sherman paused him with a finger, then, as if feeling the texture if the gum with his tongue, he took it from his mouth and stuck it into the workings of the refrigerator. And just like that the machine ran with a quiet steady hum, just like it had when it was new." (pg. 490)

I think that was one of the first cases of imagery in the short story that grabbed my attention. Just the way the author phrases each word and the way everything is organized, it gives a great sense of tenderness, for some odd reason.

The introduction of Douglas' wife is great and works well within the story. I think it was wise to have a certain voice of reason to cancel out Douglas allowing Sherman to stay at the store/shop.

I think overall, this story doesn't necessarily have to be about "someone" or one character or many characters. I think it's really about being careful what we wish for and what we ask for. And sometimes people can be quite selfish. Yes. Sherman has these amazing powers that allow him to fix things and people. But also, people in their brokenness are taking advantage of him and what he is capable of. And he is left feeling broken down and desperate for a way to escape.