The Deer At Providencia Summary

Annie Dillard’s short story, “The Deer at Providencia”, is about how she handled her emotions in different scenarios. The message that Dillard is trying to tell the reader is that life isn’t possible without suffering. Annie was mature enough to understand that sometimes suffering is necessary in order for another being to benefit. The first half of the story was about Annie’s reaction when she saw the deer that was trapped. To the surprise of her companions, she “looked detached, or hard, or calm, or focused, while [she] felt very old and energetic” (Dillard 70). Her reaction to this was bewilderment since she didn’t intend to coax the deer like the stereotypical, soft hearted woman. This shows Annie’s great matureness which shouldn’t be

She was simply aware that suffering was a very natural occurrence, and that the deer suffering would soon lead to a delicious meal. By telling this half of the story, Dillard is able to communicate to the reader that although she is a female, she doesn’t have to follow the stereotypes that define most women. By being able to control her feelings at the sight of the struggling deer, Annie shows the reader that she has accepted the fact that sometimes pain is necessary. While Annie eats lunch, she begins to think about the struggling deer but not because of the suffering it went through. She thinks of the deer’s contribution to the meal. The deer “was good. Its high level of lactic acid allowed for the muscle tissue to be tender” and give the travelers the satisfaction of having a good meal” (Dillard 54). This level of thinking shows that Annie is somewhat intelligent because she is able to