The Replacements revolves around the insecurities of what seems to be an average male by the name of Stuart. Stuart has a typical male mentality when stumbling onto this creature of his walk home from work. Stuart was not particularly fond of this creature and quickly decided that "It was something that should not exist, a mistake, something alien. It did not belong in his world" I found it almost comical that he mentions that this creature is living in "his world" after finishing the story. It is obvious that the world that Stuart lives in isn't his world at all. Jenny, Stuart's wife wears the pants in the relationship and calls the shots in Stuart's life. Jenny believed that this creature that "didn't belong in the world in Stuart's world" belonged in their home. At one point in the story Stuart realizes that "he was not afraid of a creature no bigger than a football and less likely to hurt him; rather, he was afraid that he might hurt it". This statements reflects Stuarts undeniable fear of upsetting Jenny and the consequences that may follow. As the story progresses Stuart is more and more neglected by his wife until Jenny stops offering to drive him to work at all. The creature slowly begins to replace Stuart in every day activities. Towards the end of the story, the creature seems to be trying to flee the house but is trapped.
I believe that the story is reflecting a woman's desire to nurture whether it be a child, pet, or alien creature. I think the fact that it becomes more about the woman's desire rather than the creature's actual need shows an aspect of feminism. Showing that not only do women not need men, but men can be replaced as well. I strongly agree with the theory that the creature is a metaphor for what happens to a relationship with the birth of a child. Although, I believe that there is a reason that it is a creature and not a baby. The fact that the creature is repulsive affects how acceptable the neglect of Stuart is. If Jenny were to be nurturing a child and neglecting Stuart it would be a fact of life that he had to deal with but, a alien creature is not a ordinary occurrence making the neglect more personal.
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I think it was about women generally not needing men, or needing them less and less. Not only Jenny, but other women in the story were getting enchanted by these creatures.
ReplyDeleteA bit of a feminist/separatist current to it.
(I love this genre of writing... but this blog seems inactive. Maybe my posting here is in itself a bit Gothic, like a guy checking into a hotel where there are no guests and no staff).