Analytical Response

[Jocelyn]

I really loved this short story, mostly because of Gus's character. Gus is very realistic and I found it very easy to understand his decisions and reactions because of the reasonable way he looked at his relationships making the story very enjoyable to read. Even when he found out Matt had not told his family about him, he was neither perfectly fine nor outrageously angry. He dealt with it, and made a decision based on what he felt and knew to be true. He was not indecisive like Matt who's every word needed interpretation. I definitely had a harder time understanding Matt's character at times, however the water was instrumental in gaining that understanding. At first I was not sure what the water actually meant or if it was there, but as soon as that became apparent the story just clicked for me. I also liked that the story did not tell me how to feel, but did evoke feelings of frustration, happiness, and shock.

I liked that Chu decided to show the parents in a very understanding light rather than give in to the temptation of the reaction expected by both the reader and Matt. This story reminded me in many ways of "Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin because similar to Matt, Desiree reveals something to her parents and expects one reaction and is shown the opposite causing each of them to have to make big decisions regarding their lives. Unlike Desiree however, Matt seems to choose the happier and better choice of life with those who love him (his parents and Gus).