Disappointments

[Rachel-K]

This brief novel is builds so many levels of disappointment into the arc of it's story--can you name a few of them? Do you find any hope built into the story? 

[Jessica]

One of the images that sticks in my mind is the unused restaurant supplies. Manny takes a moment to acknowledge them, and the fact that they'll be shipped off to another restaurant in the chain.

He felt the same way about his staff.

It's one more detail in the story of the potential wasted when the Red Lobster closed.

It's these small disappointments that make the story so rich. What are some other ones?

[LizzieAnn]

The souvenir glasses - the snow blower - the snow plow coming so late (an apt metaphor) - the cars being vandalized - the ambivalence toward Deena's gift - Jacquie returning Manny's gift - the weather - the lack of customers - missing saying goodbye to Eddie - all the lost dreams

Jessica wrote:

One of the images that sticks in my mind is the unused restaurant supplies. Manny takes a moment to acknowledge them, and the fact that they'll be shipped off to another restaurant in the chain.

He felt the same way about his staff.

It's one more detail in the story of the potential wasted when the Red Lobster closed.

It's these small disappointments that make the story so rich. What are some other ones?

[Librarian]

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rkubie wrote:

This brief novel is builds so many levels of disappointment into the arc of it's story--can you name a few of them? Do you find any hope built into the story? 

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I think hope is built into the story for the five people starting a new chapter in their work lives at The Olive Garden on Monday. Manny's old high school coach, A Lobster regular,  agreeing to try The Olive Garden

gives a sense of anticipation and hope.

Librarian

[Rachel-K]

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LizzieAnn wrote:

The souvenir glasses - the snow blower - the snow plow coming so late (an apt metaphor) - the cars being vandalized - the ambivalence toward Deena's gift - Jacquie returning Manny's gift - the weather - the lack of customers - missing saying goodbye to Eddie - all the lost dreams

Yes--Eddie is a big one!  Seeing his relationship with Manny early on, meeting him at the bus, and later the lottery ticket--those certainly won my opinion of Manny. Eddie looks forward to being there and just needs a bit of extra care, and Manny doesn't seem to question providing that. Not being able to say goodbye is a big deal.

[LucyintheOC]

Yes, I agree, there's hope built into the story in a very real-life way: five people know they will have paychecks and also, one would think, "hope" that their new positions in a new restaruant (new to them) will be a good thing and that maybe they might be happy despite the sadness of the loss of the known/familiar/comfotable.