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The Bass The River And Sheila Mant Analysis

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One of the few things that can stop a young boy in his tracks is the existence of a woman. In “The Bass, The River, and Sheila Mant” by W. D Wetherell, Sheila Mant is a stunning and unreachable older woman in the eyes of the fourteen year old narrator. The narrator spends a summer attempting to impress this Sheila Mant, but she has never shown interest until the narrator takes a huge step. While Sheila Mant is a fascinating and enticing being in the eyes of the narrator, she proves herself to be less than desirable through her pleasure seeking outlook and obsession with herself. Sheila entices hearts of men with her sophistication and brilliant existence. These qualities are what tempts the narrator as he watches over a hedge bordering Sheila’s …show more content…

The date has finally arrived, and the narrator still is not over her magnificent appearance. As she walks out the narrator states that she was “As beautiful as she was on the float, she was even lovelier now-her white dress went perfectly with her hair, and complimented her figure even more than her swimsuit” (37). Sheila Mant seems to think that she is too sophisticated to get in his canoe as she “let herself down reluctantly into the bow” (37). At this point Sheila still serves as a heart throb for the narrator, despite her semi stuck up attitude. The narrator longs for Sheila so deeply that when she states that she does not like fishing, he hides that he is passionate about it. Her negative attitude is not enough to take down her perfection as the narrator thinks that “I would have given anything not to appear dumb in Sheila’s severe and unforgiving eyes” (38). The narrator longed for this chance to speak to Sheila, however he got more than he asked for. Sheila spent the majority of the ride speaking about herself, parties, or Eric Caswell. Sheila has proved herself to be self absorbed, but the naive narrator still notes a “creamy, luminous glow” (39) on her as they paddle to their destination. Sheila continues to set herself up as unbearable and rude. Her outward beauty does not camouflage enough to make her desirable. This aspect of Sheila shines through when she leaves him

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