Shaving Leslie Norris Analysis

Shaving, Leslie Norris

Leslie Norris’s short story “Shaving” is a prime example of a coming-of-age tale that analyzes the importance of life, and the prioritizing of life decisions. Norris forces the reader to connect with Barry the protagonist, on the deepest levels of human emotion. Barry is a charismatic young man who has shown an abundance of maturity as his hopelessly ill father slowly slips away. Barry’s growth from a young adolescent to the patriarch of his family has taught him responsibilities of being a leader in not just his household, but with his friends. Barry’s willingness to become the patriarch of the family is illustrated through characterization, contrast, and symbolism.

Norris describes Barry as a responsible young man,

The act of Barry preparing his father’s shaving equipment emphasizes how much he cares for his father, and how he respects what his father likes “You could have used your electric razor.” [Barry’s Father] said. “I expected that.” “You wouldn’t like it, “Barry said. “You’ll get a closer shave this way”(Norris 2). Barry’s meticulous care of his father’s shaving equipment stresses that he cares for his father and understands the little time he has left with him should be used to show his father how much he cares. This is in contrast to Barry spending all his time alone and sulking that his father is going to die. Barry has not just grown mentally since his father has become ill, but he also has become physically different “He was tall, strongly made, his hands and feet were adult and heavy” (Norris 1). Barry’s non-adolescent body supports his mental maturity and also provides evidence to how he can be considered more of a patriarch than his father from a physical point. Barry is a contrast from what a normal high school kid is like physically and mentally; he has grown up because of his father’s