I'd like to think that fairies were real, that one day I'll wake up have magical powers. I think deep down I'd like to believe in "unrealistic" things because even if they seem completely ludicrous and unlikely, it's often better than thinking about all of the horrible things in life.
While Bobby didn't really believe a fairy was creeping into the house at night through the dog door (or did he??), I think he was willing to grab on to the idea of a fairy because the truth was much more horrible. Well, maybe Bobby never really believed that a fairy was visiting with Dennis, but he was slow to believe that a little woman who most likely murdered the last tenant was stopping by each evening.
His mother was the same way. In fact, I was shocked at how quickly Bobby's mother changed her opinion on the likelihood of a fairy truly existing. It was as if she completely disregarded the idea that fairies existed until she thought something much more terrible could have been breaking into her house. When Bobby tried to make her believe that it was a little, murdering woman - not a fairy - who was making nightly visits to Dennis, she completely ignored him and started to act like she suddenly believed the fairytale.
I get it. It easier (or more pleasant) to believe that a lovely magical being is visiting her home during the night, as opposed to a creepy little woman. Why would she want to think that a murderer was living in their midst? I'm pretty sure if I had the option to start thinking that a magical creature was causing trouble instead of an actual murderer, I would go with the magical being...I know it isn't realistic, but if I think it's something that can't possibly exist (or is unlikely, at least), then in theory I should be able to shut my eyes and wish it away...but can you wish away something that is really there?
Sometimes we cling to the unrealistic and pretend it is real in order to ignore the ugliness of the truth.
---
If you believe everything you read, you better not read. - Japanese proverb
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
"I get it. It easier (or more pleasant) to believe that a lovely magical being is visiting her home during the night, as opposed to a creepy little woman. Why would she want to think that a murderer was living in their midst? I'm pretty sure if I had the option to start thinking that a magical creature was causing trouble instead of an actual murderer, I would go with the magical being...
ReplyDeleteSometimes we cling to the unrealistic and pretend it is real in order to ignore the ugliness of the truth."
I get this, too, and while one part of me understands that Bobby's mother salves her fear by believing in the lesser of two evils, the pain of what almost happened would make me make sure nothing like that happened again--I would investigate what my child was seeing or thinking he was seeing. It's too dangerous to do otherwise.