By Neel Patel The Desire to Attain Uniqueness in a Monochrome World Leads to Desolation In Leon Edels short story The

Eternal Footman Snickers, the language of the story exposes Myras ambition to forever remain a part of history. By exposing such an ambition, the story critiques individuals who want to feel unique in a monochrome world; in an attempt to become immortal, they lose their potential to experience the wonderful world around them. The story beings with the line COCKTAILSturn over the layers of ones consciousness,(1) which foreshadows that the story is about Myras journey into her inner mind. Using the third-person omniscient point of view, the narrative is able to convey the sense of insanity presented by the protagonist. The dull tone of the story amplifies Myras state of depression and suggests that her book is the cause of her problems. Myras attempt to switch from writing poetry to a novel represents her desire to achieve something even greater than what she already had in hopes of being remembered. This is evident in her thoughts, The average life of a skyscraperis thirty yearsit rises higher and higher until it stands proudlythen a quick tearing down and a building up again.(2) When skyscrapers are new, they stand out as opposed to other ordinary buildings. People actually take the time to look at them, but as time passes by, they tend to blend in and become a common sight. The skyscrapers symbolize the life of a poet who rises higher [and] stands proudly(2) when they are at the top. This period however, lasts only for a small amount of time, as the fame and the recognition do not last forever. The symbolism in the passage suggests that Myras downfall is inevitable and that there will be someone new and better to take her place. Myras attempt to write the great[est] Canadian novel (1) symbolizes her attempt to remain memorable over an extended period of time. She does not realize that in an attempt to become unique, she is losing out on the idea of being mortal and enjoying life. Myras perception of what makes individuals unique depicts her insanity. She believes that it is not the personality but rather the accomplishments that remain engraved in history. Many symbolic interpretations arise from the quote An ant underfoot, a single step, and there is just a dark spot in the dust.(2) The ant symbolizes the insignificance of life. Myra compares the ant to herself, fearing that if she is not able to finish writing the book, then

her death will also be similar to the dark spot in the dust, and as time passes, she too will be forgotten about. The ant also symbolizes the lack of an individuals identity. The individuality of ants is lost in their numbers and their common goal of reproducing. For this reason, Myra dreads the monochrome life, where men and women sprawling in the streets; puppy dogs in parks; housewives in their kitchens; lovers in their beds(2) Everyone around her seems to be enjoying a conventional life while she is depressed over her lack of ability to finish her book. This displays the extent to which she wants to be memorable. Instead of appreciating life, she is too busy thinking about what will happen after her death. Myras insanity lies in her ability to destroy the book. The ant further symbolizes the devaluation of Myras novel. The fact that she would tear them up at once (2) conveys how significant she thinks the unfinished book is. She feels that it is better to destroy the book herself than to have publishers utilizing bits for publicity. (2) She did not believe that her book should be devalued to the point where it will gain only five minutes of fame. She would rather see it destroyed than have the publishers push a posthumous sale.(2) The allusion to George Eliot reveals a lot about Myras desire and her jealousy towards George Eliot. Myras jealousy is evident when she criticizes George Eliot, claiming that she is tremendously overrated.(1) The reason for her jealousy is that people still talk about George Eliot, even decades after she has died and no one seems to mention Myras name even though her latest poetry book got published. It is the fear of dying before not accomplishing something deemed worthy by society that leads to her depression. It was this fear that prevented her from committing suicide and it is the same fear that causes her to stay depressed. Myra further criticizes George Eliot by saying that she did not take life seriously and that she had an earnest gaze, the manner superior leaning the poor old head against her poor old handsimply needed support (1) It is ironic when Myra questions if George Eliot took life seriously because Myra herself tried committing suicide. When Myra has a headache, she begins to relate to George Eliot, Did George Eliot suffer from a perpetual headache? (1) This reveals that George Eliot had gone through a similar experience and that they both have some things in common. George Eliot was successful in her goal and that is what Myra envies about her the most. George Eliots

earnest gaze [and her] manner superior (2) were also reflected upon Myra; illustrated by her arrogant eyes.(1) Both of these authors share many common characteristics. They both are described as arrogant and searching for recognition. Also, they both have the need to feel superior to others and this is what fuels their motivation as authors. The story suggests that individuals who are so embedded in their personal goals do not have time to enjoy the simplicity of life. In conclusion, Myras desire to become immortal through her literature prevents her from living life to its fullest potential. She wants to be unique in a monochrome world and her ambition drives her to insanity and depression. The story suggests that a part of being human is actually accepting that death can come at any moment and that there is nothing that an individual can do to immortalize themselves. Sooner or later, a time will come when individuals are forgotten despite their countless efforts to stay remembered in the world. Instead of worrying about time after death, an individual should live life to their fullest potential.