“The Frog Prince”, by Robert Coover, in the January 27, 2014
issue of The New Yorker
Every myth has its underlying purpose to somehow keep society
functioning. I suppose the one about
women kissing frogs prevents them from failing to reproduce. After all, you kiss the abomination, get in
enough physical contact, and bonding hormones kick in and he starts to look
good, or at least not that bad, then next thing you know you're having offspring.
But practicing a behavior because it keeps a society
functioning on an evolutionary scale doesn’t work that well for the
individual. Sometimes it’s better not to
reproduce, than reproduce frogs.
Our society is more tolerant of single women than it has
been, but there’s still a massive push for all women to find a permanent
partner, even if he’s not that great of a guy.
Sex and the City
used to handle this theme. We watched gorgeous,
well off, educated professional women who were so anxious for a romance they’d
settle for some goof living in a basement apartment who had a part time
unskilled labour job. The modern, much
harsher equivalent of that program, Girls,
explores similar themes, with Hannah involving herself with a dubious character
who makes me cringe, and want to invite her over for tea and cookies. I’d like to mother that girl…
Robert Coover’s short story “The Frog Prince” captures the phenomenon
humourously. I won’t give it away, especially since the story fits on a single
page.
But if you’re questioning the relationship you’re in, or the
one you’re about to leap into, read this story.
No need for purchase, just click and read. Read this story and remember Coover’s
depiction of the frog prince, that “all
he wanted was to be a frog again”.
Fast, modern, hallucinogenic and insightful, this short
story delivers therapeutic value for any person about to get involved with the
wrong partner, male or female.
The New Yorker
prints excellent short stories and intelligent articles. Get yourself a subscription.
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