My Life With the Wave

3 Pages 765 Words

Can a Man really be Happy With a Wave?
In the short story, “My Life With the Wave,” the narrator of the story, which is also the main character, goes through a sequence of emotional transitions, all for the love of a wave. Three major traits of the narrator, are that he is a determined loving person, he likes to please others, and he is also a very passionate person, which turns into anger and indifference. After everything the narrator did for the wave, she still did not fully appreciate all his attentions; thus making him realize that letting her into his life was a major mistake.
The narrator was captivated by the wave, since she first grabbed his arm out of nowhere, and he demonstrates he is a determined and loving person, when he knew he would have to go through major trouble by taking the wave to the city. Although at first he tried any unthinkable way to convince her that she could not go with him, she was firm in her decision to go, and he didn’t have the heart to leave her behind. The narrator knew there were risks involved in wanting to take her to the city, he demonstrates this when he says “It’s true the rules say nothing in respect to the transport of waves on the railroad, but this very reserve was an indication of the severity with which our act would be judged“ (Paz, Octavio 263). The narrators determination causes him to go to jail for over a year, and when he returns to his house, the wave has been there all that time waiting for his return.
Another important trait that the narrator possesses is that he likes to please and make people happy, but at the same time he is a very jealous person. When the wave began complaining that she was lonely, he made every attempt to cheer her up. The narrator even filled the house with all types of shells, conches and even small sailboats. This was not much help, since the wave would shipwreck the sailboats in time of frustration and desperation. It was as if the na...