The short story Tenth of December by George Saunders intertwines the narratives of two main characters, Don Eber and Robin, who find themselves in moments of vulnerability and self-discovery. Through his storytelling, Saunders explores the complexities of human emotions, the power of empathy, and the blurred boundaries between fantasy and reality. Don Eber, suffering from cancer, ventures into the woods with the intention of ending his life. However, his encounter with a young boy, Robin, becomes a transformative experience, fundamentally altering his perspective on his decision to take his own life.
The “Tenth of December” collection is a book of short stories written by George Saunders. Published in 2013, it received critical acclaim and was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction. The stories in the collection tackle various aspects of contemporary life, often set in dystopian or surreal landscapes. Saunders delves into themes such as isolation, empathy, consumerism, and the human struggle for connection. Saunders often presents flawed and vulnerable characters who navigate complex moral dilemmas and seek redemption or understanding.
Tenth of December | Summary
“Tenth of December” is a short story written by George Saunders. It explores themes of isolation, empathy, and the struggle for human connection in a dystopian setting. The story follows two main characters, a middle-aged man named Don Eber and a socially awkward young boy named Robin.
Don Eber is portrayed as a terminally ill man who contemplates suicide as a means of sparing his family from the burden of his illness. Throughout the story, Eber engages in internal dialogues, imagining conversations with figures from his past, as he grapples with conflicting emotions and desires. He ultimately decides to venture into the freezing wilderness to end his life, seeking what he perceives as a dignified exit.
Meanwhile, Robin, a socially awkward and imaginative boy, embarks on a heroic fantasy adventure in the wintry woods. He imagines himself as a brave hero on a mission to save his classmate Suzanne from fictional creatures called Nethers. Robin’s vivid imagination blurs the line between reality and fantasy as he navigates his make-believe world while still being tethered to the actual surroundings.
The paths of Eber and Robin intersect when Robin unknowingly stumbles upon Eber’s discarded coat and decides to return it. In doing so, Robin inadvertently saves Eber from the freezing cold and interrupts his planned suicide. This unexpected encounter forces Eber to confront the present moment and reevaluate his actions.
The story delves into the inner lives and struggles of both characters, highlighting their longing for connection and their desire to be seen and understood. It examines the ways in which human beings construct their own realities, whether through fantasies or imagined conversations, as a way to cope with their circumstances.
Tenth of December | Analysis
The narrative style of the story constantly transitions between different realms of reality, from the tangible to the idealized, the fictional, and the remembered.
In the short story “Tenth of December”, the protagonist, named Robin walks through the woods while indulging in his heroic fantasies. He envisions himself as a courageous figure, venturing through the forest to rescue his captivating classmate, Suzanne Bledsoe, from imaginary creatures called Nethers.
The boundaries between Robin’s make-believe world and actuality blur seamlessly. He notices a thermometer displaying a temperature of 10 degrees, and this tangible detail makes the experience feel real to him. Even when he comes across real human footprints, he continues to pretend that he is tracking a Nether. When he discovers a winter coat and decides to follow the footprints in order to return it to its owner, he acknowledges that it is a genuine rescue, albeit somewhat different from his initial fantasy.
Similarly, Don Eber, a terminally ill 53-year-old man in the story, engages in internal dialogues. He is preoccupied with his own imagined acts of heroism, contemplating venturing into the wilderness to freeze to death, sparing his wife and children the anguish of caring for him during his deteriorating health.
His conflicted emotions manifest through imaginary conversations with significant figures from his past, ultimately culminating in a fictitious exchange of gratitude between his surviving children, recognizing his selflessness. Don Eber reflects on the dreams he will never fulfill, such as delivering a “major national speech on compassion.” Paralleling Robin’s fantasies of battling Nethers and saving Suzanne, these aspirations seem improbable even if Eber were to live for another century.
The shifting between the real and the imagined creates a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere in the narrative. This effect is further intensified within the frozen landscape, particularly when Eber experiences hallucinations induced by hypothermia.
Right from the beginning, Robin’s fantasies are unable to completely detach themselves from reality. He envisions the Nethers inflicting torture on him, but only “in ways he could actually take.” He imagines Suzanne inviting him to her pool, saying, “It’s cool if you swim with your shirt on.”
As Robin survives near-drowning and near-freezing experiences, he becomes firmly grounded in reality. He starts to indulge in thoughts of what Suzanne might say, but quickly reprimands himself, considering it foolish to engage in imaginary conversations with a girl who, in real life, refers to him as Roger.
Similarly, Eber’s pursuit of an unrealistic fantasy eventually reaches its limit. His terminal illness has transformed his kind stepfather into a cruel figure whom he only thinks of as “THAT.” Eber, already grappling with his declining ability to find the right words, is determined to avoid a similar fate. He believes that by ending his life with dignity, he would preempt any future degradation and render his fears about the upcoming months irrelevant. However, this opportunity to achieve a poetic and ideal passing is disrupted when he witnesses Robin moving precariously across the ice, carrying Eber’s own coat.
Eber’s reaction to this revelation is refreshingly ordinary, as he simply exclaims. It becomes apparent that his fantasy of a graceful and meaningful demise will not come to fruition, a realization that readers might have anticipated when he settled on “moot” instead of “mute.”
Both Robin and Eber encounter the limitations of their fantasies as they confront the complexities of reality. Robin’s imaginative world collides with the practicalities of his interactions with Suzanne, while Eber’s idealized vision of a dignified end is disrupted by the unforeseen events unfolding before him.
The rescues depicted in the story are intricately interwoven and possess a striking beauty. Eber rescues Robin from the harsh cold, if not directly from the pond itself. However, Robin would never have fallen into the pond had he not attempted to rescue Eber by bringing him his coat. In turn, Robin saves Eber from the bitter cold by sending his mother to retrieve him. Additionally, Robin has inadvertently saved Eber from his contemplated suicide by plunging into the pond.
The immediate need to save Robin compels Eber to be fully present in the moment, and this presence seems to aid in integrating Eber’s various identities—both his past and present selves. Saunders eloquently writes:
“Suddenly he was not purely the dying guy who woke nights in the med-bed thinking, Make this not true make this not true, but again, partly, the guy who used to put bananas in the freezer, then crack them on the counter and pour chocolate over the broken chunks, the guy who’d once stood outside a classroom window in a rainstorm to see how Jodi was faring.”
Gradually, Eber begins to perceive his illness, along with its inevitable loss of dignity, not as something that negates his former self, but rather as an integral part of his overall identity. Similarly, he rejects the impulse to conceal his suicide attempt from his children, recognizing that it, too, is a part of who he is.
As Eber synthesizes the various fragments of his being, he also manages to reconcile his gentle and loving stepfather with the bitter and hostile person he became in the end. Reflecting on the way his desperately ill stepfather attentively listened to Eber’s presentation on manatees, Eber realizes that even in the direst of circumstances, there are “drops of goodness” to be found.
Despite finding themselves in unfamiliar surroundings and occasionally stumbling upon the uneven floors of a stranger’s house, Eber and his wife are together, united in their journey through uncharted territory.
Tenth of December | Themes
Saunders’ style of writing is characterized by a blend of realism and dark humor, which adds depth and complexity to the narrative. The story’s dystopian backdrop serves as a metaphor for the alienation and detachment prevalent in contemporary society. The characters in the story, such as Don Eber and Robin, experience various forms of isolation and struggle to connect with others. Eber feels emotionally disconnected from his family due to his terminal illness, while Robin’s social awkwardness and imaginative world separate him from his peers. Both Eber and Robin wrestle with their sense of self and their place in the world. Eber’s illness disrupts his self-perception, while Robin’s social awkwardness and escapism reflect his own search for identity and belonging.
The story emphasizes the importance of empathy and compassion in human interactions. Robin’s inadvertent act of returning Eber’s coat demonstrates a small act of kindness that saves Eber’s life. It highlights the potential for empathy to bridge the gap between individuals and create meaningful connections.
“Tenth of December” blurs the boundaries between perception and reality. Robin’s vivid imagination and fantasy world often merge with the actual events happening around him. This theme explores the subjective nature of reality and the ways in which individuals construct their own versions of the world.
The story raises questions about morality and ethical decision-making. Eber grapples with the choice of ending his own life to spare his family from suffering. The narrative challenges readers to consider the complexities of such choices and the ethical implications they entail.Further, it examines the challenges of communication and the longing for genuine understanding between individuals. Characters engage in internal dialogues and imagined conversations as they seek connection and try to bridge the gaps in their relationships.
Tenth of December | Literary Devices
The story is primarily told through a third-person limited point of view, allowing readers to gain insight into the thoughts and perspectives of specific characters, such as Don Eber and Robin. This limited perspective helps to create a more intimate connection with the characters and their inner struggles.
Vivid and descriptive imagery is employed throughout the story to paint a picture of the setting, characters, and events. The wintry landscape, the freezing cold, and the detailed depictions of the characters’ physical and emotional experiences evoke strong sensory impressions in the reader’s mind.
Symbolism is used to convey deeper meaning within the story. For example, the coat represents both protection from the cold and the burden of Eber’s illness. The frozen landscape and icy pond symbolize isolation, danger, and the inevitability of death. These symbols contribute to the overall thematic resonance of the story.
The dialogue in the story serves multiple purposes. It reveals character traits, provides insights into characters’ inner thoughts, and conveys the struggle for communication and understanding. The dialogue also helps to establish the distinctive voices and personalities of the characters, contributing to their development.
About The Author
George Saunders is an acclaimed American author known for his distinctive writing style and insightful social commentary. He has received numerous awards for his works, including the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 2017 for his novel Lincoln in the Bardo. “Tenth of December” is one of Saunders’ most notable short stories, published in 2013 as the title story in his collection of the same name.
