Analizing an Allegory, or "A Torchy Story"

Alicia Erickson

Jacqueline Reed

English 107

December 17^th 2012

Analyzing an Allegory, or “A Torchy Story”

In “An Anthology of Canadian Native Literature in English 3^rd Edition” edited by Daniel David Moses and Terry Goldie, the most interesting short story one might come across is titled “Mermaids” by Richard Van Camp. The introductory hook includes the main character Torchy all beaten up and down on his luck; as well as Stephanie who is waiting outside of the Range Hotel in yellow gumboots in the middle of a Yellowknife winter. Van Camp chose to use an allegory of why God killed the mermaids to suggest that all choices have consequences.

God killed the mermaids because they were more beautiful than God. Men worshipped mermaids and mermen. They forgot about God and anytime man forgets God, He reminds them that He’s still there. That’s why he brought AIDS. Because we forgot. (pg. 560)

In this story Torchy is at a turning point in his life, where he will have to make choices for the betterment of others. The plot follows events in a backward manner as memories are introduced non-chronologically. As Torchy’s story continues it is evident that he is influenced by his mother in his childhood, his grandfather’s loneliness, and his brother Sfen’s suicide.

Torchy’s mother makes choices that affect her children in their adult lives. By choosing to stay with abusive partners while her children were growing up; Sfen and Torchy struggle to create healthy relationships later in life.

One of my mom’s boyfriends felt guilty, I guess, for beating on all of us. [He bought chips, beer, as well as one pair of flippers] for me and Sfen. Mom needed shades to hide the love he put on her. ‘You’re gonna have to learn to share’ she called weakly as we ran from the car ‘You two are brothers and brothers share.’ (pg. 565)

Lacking a good role model Torchy choses vices such as cocaine or gambling, over a healthy life-style while Sfen searches for a father figure through homosexual relationships. As children the boys learned to depend on one another for support because all the usual or expected supports had been taken away. When Sfen’s sexuality robs him of his health, he chooses to end his own life rather than die of AIDS later on. The consequence of this act is that Torchy loses the only person he feels connected to. “Now Sfen is where the fish sleep. At the lake, by the river bed. My brother who loved mermen.” (pg. 564) Torchy repeatedly makes reference to his mother only to say she was cursed. ‘My mother was cursed the day she bore me and I am faint with envy of the dead.’ (pg. 560) This statement expresses Torchy’s belief that his very existence is toxic; he feels he would be better off dead. By losing himself in drugs, alcohol and gambling Torchy is able to forget his grief, just like the sailors forgot about their God when they saw the mermaids and the mermen. There was going to be a big bingo in Yellowknife; eighty grand cash. The day before the bingo game Torchy works up the courage to ask his grandfather to bless his hands.

Snowbird is described as the loneliest man in the world. It is said Snowbirds wife had recently passed away, and the men say a prayer in manner of greeting; Snowbird in Dogrib and Torchy in English. The character role Snowbird plays is to show Torchy how his life will be if he does not change his ways. Torchy says “I was disgusted by how lonely he was. He was starving for someone to talk to.” (pg. 561)  When Torchy says he is willing to split half of the money with him, willing to make his long lost grandfather rich, if Snowbird could only bless his hands Snowbirds reply is:

‘Do you know what I wish?  I wish someone were to visit me and read to me the bible. It is such a beautiful song sung with so many voices. I could make tea and we could talk after.’ (pg. 562)

By blessing Torchy’s hands to win the big bingo game in Yellowknife, Snowbird hopes to gain quality time with his grandson before the end of his life. Snowbird implies that to be a rich man is not measured by how much money you have in life, but by how many people you have to love and care for. Snowbird instructs Torchy to ‘make sure you drop some tobacco when you get to Yellowknife. Say your name out loud after you land so your soul can catch up with you and don’t forget to wash your hands after you win.’ (pg.560-1) Torchy wins the bingo game alright but he does not stop there. After winning the initial eighty grand Torchy keeps on winning every hand he plays at the casino no matter what the game. To end the night Torchy buys a room at the Range Hotel with two prostitutes. Torchy is awoken suddenly by a pair of devils claws because he forgot to wash his hands after winning all that money. It takes a moment for Torchy to realize that these are his own hands choking off his windpipe.

The devils claws were on me. The same hands that won me eighty grand plus were digging through my throat. But I got the tub going. I got it going and put those claws under the bloody water for a long time until they turned back to my hands. When I went back to the room, the twins had vanished with all my money. (pg. 563)

Torchy’s injuries appear to be extensive when he leaves the Range Hotel and Stephanie; a nine year old girl who takes him in off the street, does not know that they are self-inflicted. It feels as though Van Camp purposely makes the audience uncomfortable with Torchy’s meeting of Stephanie. This child is obviously neglected, so when Torchy comes into her life accidentally, suddenly the audience is afraid for this innocent young girl. There is also an immediate connection between the two individuals. Stephanie’s character serves as the antidote to both Torchy and Snowbirds loneliness. When Torchy sees Stephanie outside the Hotel, he is immediately struck by the evidence of neglect she wears and relates to her abandonment. In the apartment, Stephanie plasters Barbie Band-Aides on the tattoos Torchy had smoldered off with a car lighter (pg. 558-9) in hopes of making him feel better. Torchy notes the urea foam furniture as highly flammable and wonders where Stephanie’s mother may be.

[She rests her head on my shoulder]. Jesus, this kid trusts me. Doesn’t she know who I am? Eleven o’clock at night and she’s here with me.’ (pg. 559) I lift Stephanie and place her on the sofa. Where’s Stephanie’s mom? Doesn’t she know guys worse than me walk the streets? Some guys would be pulling their junk looking at her. (pg. 560)

Instead of taking the story to a disturbing level, Van Camp choses to tell a story of reaching out to others in times of need. “I’ll be your sister Torchy if you be my brother.” (pg. 564) Torchy’s choice to take Stephanie to Simmer affects more people than just the two of them although Snowbird will get his wish. His grandson will return to his home for tea and stories; and he will also have a girl to lead him to the places he wishes to go now that he cannot see for himself.

“Mermaids” by Richard Van Camp is an interesting short story because it showcases how all choices have consequences. While Torchy and Sfen were growing up their mother’s lifestyle affected various choices the boys made later on in their lives. The boys struggle to create positive relationships and fail to deal with stress in a healthy manner. Sfen’s suicide negatively affects Torchy. The main character turns to vices to forget his grief over the loss of his brother. When a bingo game in Yellowknife turns sour, Torchy’s decision to take in an innocent nine-year-old girl will change his life for the better. Snowbird, the medicine man who blessed Torchy’s hands says, “Please remember your Grandpa” (pg. 562.) in hopes of receiving quality time with his grandson before the end of his life. Torchy’s narration is concluded with Stephanie asking Torchy to “[t]ake me with you Torchy… I don’t want to stay here anymore. I’m scared all the time. I’ll wash floors, I’ll cook, [and] I’ll clean.” (pg. 565) This is ironic because Stephanie is actually rescuing Torchy from himself. The amount of trust this girl has for Torchy is astounding. In order to set things right, Torchy has to learn to let the past go and reach out to other people in his life.

Work Cited:

Van Camp, Richard “Mermaids” pg. 557-565 An Anthology of Canadian Native Literature in English – 3^rd Edition. Eds. Moses, Daniel and Terry Goldie. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2005. Print.