Summary Of Vastness Of The Dark By Alistair Macleod

Alistair MacLeod’s The Vastness of the Dark is a carefully composed short story that is used to solidify an understanding of the startling realities that accompany one’s introduction into their adult years, as is the case for the protagonist, James. The insight provided by Macleod is evoked through his introduction of familial connections, occupational pressures, a longing for individuality, and subtle gestures of religious commitment. These topics weave a four-dimensional image that poses as a constant reminder to the reader of their role within one’s life experiences. These elements are presented by MacLeod as being most profoundly influential during the fragile transitional periods of one’s lifetime. MacLeod appears to represent this four-dimensional

It becomes strikingly obvious that James, whom has now reached eighteen years of age, is in the midst of a critical point concerning his maturity. With this realization, he considers the new situations and decisions that will ultimately transform him in several ways. The reader accompanies this character on his trail of monologues in which the theme of striving for individuality becomes evident. What is also presented to the reader through James’ mental processing, is his apparent resentment towards conventional religion – one of the aforesaid dimensions expertly employed by MacLeod. As James contemplates the ringing church bells that are situated in the centre of his small town, the theme of religion clearly begins to surface (26). These first few elements of the four dimensions, that of religion and individuality, are the vehicles used to transport the reader through the perilous stages of James’ newfound freedoms. One of these freedoms includes James’ opportunity to refuse attending weekly religious services, as demonstrated by his following statement directed towards the Catholic Church bells, stating, “at least tomorrow I will be free of you”

He perceives the town as being a force that holds him back from achieving his true potential. It is clear to the reader that James, understandably, feels a sense of obligation from his family, as well as their values. This suddenly begins to repel him from the various demands of the struggling mining town he has been confined to. At this point, the stage is set for another profound dimension to emerge throughout the narrative of The Vastness of the Dark. This dimension is the significance of familial relationships. The reader discovers that James hails from a large family consisting of seven siblings, his paternal grandparents, and his parents. It is clear through James’ narrative that he has not cultivated meaningful or lasting relationships with his younger siblings (28). Due to James being the eldest child of the family, he is emotionally, and literally, removed from his brothers and sisters (28-29). It is almost as if James is only aware of their names and ages when he mentions