Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Kamryn Johnson
Composition II
Corrubvius-Powell
20 March 2021
The Taxidermist’s Other Wife (TTOW) is an eerie, creepy, tale that is easily compared to
an episode of The Twilight Zone or a film written by Jordan Peele. TTOW is told from the point
includes another unnamed character, the Taxidermist’s other wife, hence the title. Each character
can be described as very odd, creepy, and often emotional. Kelly Barnhill, author of “Dreadful
Young Ladies and Other Stories.” uses the characters in TTOW to show how society is made of
imperfectly perfect humans who are corrupted by the thought of being perfect. Barnhill brings up
themes such as self-love, hypocrisy, judgment, and the divine. The well-written piece seems to
challenge the readers to understand that perfection is not defined by excellence, characteristics,
beauty, or lack of flaws. Barnhill explains to the readers: You can NOT recreate something that
already exists or existed, and that one must accept themselves as they are, good or bad. Lastly,
Barnhill’s focus is on one’s divine; and said divine cannot be policed or defined by those around
them. Barnhill cycles her messages back to the overall themes: self-acceptance and the divine.
As stated earlier, perfection is not and should not be defined by brilliance, qualities,
glamor, the absence of imperfection. Often, people’s brilliance is based on their appearance.
Attractiveness is what attracts outside forces, they are blinded by beauty and assume the
brilliance is already there. An example of this would be the Taxidermist’s wife; the community
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describes her as “...a sweet, pretty thing. Young. Large eyes. Tight smooth skin...she's
perfect.”(Barnhill p.80) However, as the town got to know her, they realize that all she
represents is beauty. Her porcelain white teeth and pale skin, are nothing but a facade to the
town. The Taxidermist’s wife displays a human on the outside, but there is nothing there on the
inside. The town explains how they pick up the scent “even through [their] scarves, [they] can
smell the formaldehyde on her breath.” (Barnhill p. 88). Formaldehyde (Formalin) is a very
important chemical when it comes to preservation. Typically used to dry out and protect
specimens. It is often used in taxidermy (how ironic) and funeral homes. It has a very distinct
smell, and from personal experience, it is not pleasant. After the town discovers how lifeless the
taxidermist’s wife is, they begin to judge her for not displaying human characteristics. They
point out how she doesn’t pass gas, snort, cough, or laugh. These are all common humanly things
that do not make a person perfect or imperfect, it makes them human. The town seems to be lost
in what truly makes a person perfect. They seem to struggle with defining what is divine. Is it
The Taxidermist is intelligent, and this is shown through his several speeches and lectures
he gives. On the other hand, the town does not buy into anything he says. They often find
irritants when he speaks. As I mentioned earlier, the Town is not fond of the Mayor’s new wife
either. I explained how they picked her apart and judged her on every little thing. Nonetheless, I
failed to mention how they often compared her to Margaret, the Taxidermist's deceased wife.
Though Barnhill does not state what Margaret looked like, or how she smiled, talked, or walked.
She displays how Margaret had a positive effect on the community. This is shown through the
emotions and actions of the community when they heard the news of her passing. The town
“..tried to grieve, [they] wanted to drape [their] arms around the Taxidermist to feel his tears
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wetting the shoulders of [their] shirts, to wrap his hand with [their] hands and squeeze.”
(Barnhill p.81) Margaret was everything the new wife is not, at least that's what it seems to be.
The Taxidermist said it in his own words, “If the artisan does not love the expired subject on his
table, it is true, the final product will be a cold, dead thing. A monstrosity. A hideous copy of
what once was unique and alive, and beautiful.” (Barnhill. p.81). Meaning, trying to recreate or
better something is unnecessary because it would be a lesser version than the first. This indicates
that the other wife can never replace Margaret. To further explain, think of it this way: everyone
has made memories in their lifetime. Those memories are documented in their minds, through
items, pictures, people, and/or places. Yet, none of those factors can compare to the actual
memory. The feelings and emotions from that exact moment cannot be recreated. They can bring
joy and happiness for a short amount of time. The Taxidermist displays this type of emotion
when it comes to the other wife. Yes, she does bring him happiness, but she does not bring the
same emotions Margaret did. The other wife is nothing but “...memory, and history, and
longing.” (Barnhill p.88). A hideous copy of what once was unique and alive, and beautiful.
Barnhills has discussed several themes in TTOW, one of my favorite being: self-
acceptance. Self-acceptance is a common struggle amongst many due to the world we live in.
High beauty standards. The author implies that we are all humans who are not even close to
perfect. Still, that does not make us bad people or damaged goods. This quote stuck out like a
sore thumb, and it explains how everyone is “...a collection of faults.” The Taxidermist told us
once. “A myriad of imperfections through which shines divine perfection. You see? It is our
flaws that make us beloved by heaven.” (Barnhill. p.84). This is genius because once again, it
cycles back to the theme of self-love. Furthermore, having scars, blemishes, and deformities is
what makes us human. God created us the way we’re supposed to look and be and if you “reveal
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the subject as the subject was, you reveal the prints of God.” (Barnhill p.85). Society always
says humanity was created in God’s image; What is more divine than the creator himself? This
would mean that everyone is divine in their own way. Once society learns to accept themselves,
the more they can reveal their own divinity, and be comfortable in their god-crafted layers.
In addition to the previous points, Barnhill reels in her final themes: corruption,
judgmental, external forces. Whether it be through social media, a public high school, even in
religious places. People will always find room for judgment, and the more people try to construct
what is good and bad, Is when they lose sight of what is right and wrong. Society gets caught up
in policing one another and determining what makes someone good or bad. The Taxidermist,
who seemingly enjoys giving speeches, explains to the town that the more they attempt to “force
[their] corrupted idea of the Perfect and Good upon what is actually and deeply Perfect and
Good, the farther [they] are from the divine.”(Barnhill. p.84). Now, as much as I enjoyed the
Taxidermist's influential words, HE ATE THEM RIGHT AFTER. The Taxidermist is not only
the main character, but he is a huge symbol of judgment and hypocrisy. His god-complex
(narcissism) affects him and thus causes him to lose sight of his own teachings. While he is
spreading the words of what is truly divine, he also becomes a victim of corruption. The
Taxidermist stated earlier in the text that you cannot recreate what already existed. Nevertheless,
he then swallows his words after telling the town that “We can preserve the memory- in its
perfection, in its state of bliss, and we preserve ourselves.” (Barnhill. p.88). Barnhill uses the
Taxidermist as a prime example of what judgment, hypocrisy, and corruption look like.
Being a “good and perfect.” human is not defined by how you act, dress, speak, or smile.
It's about being alive, having flaws, and not losing sight of the true meaning. We cannot
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recreate the same scars, or flaws in another human life (it's what makes you unique). The
more we accept who we are, the more other people will as well. Unless G-O-D allows
humans part-time jobs as the Anubis (the Egyptian god) of the world. No one has the
right to judge you as a person, other than the man upstairs. Barnhill’s excellent writing further
explores the themes of corruption, judgment, self-confidence, and hypocrisy. She uses her
characters as tools to construct and present her message to the readers. Barnhill’s message to the
Reflection
1. What is the purpose of the project you created and how do you think the piece achieves
its purpose?
a. The purpose of this project is to practice writing, analyzing, and using evidence to
construct an argument
2. Who is the audience? How did this impact your choice of medium? In other words, why
is the medium (the blog or newsletter) the best choice for your audience AND purpose?
a. The audience isn’t specific; However, I did have to target readers who aren’t into
horror or sci-fi. Several people don’t enjoy stories that cause eerie and confusing
emotions. Most people do not like mystery, or thrillers because it can take away
from the overall movie. Some people just like simple movie plots.
3. What were your impressions of the technology you chose to compose with for this
project? Was it easier composing with this technology than it was during the Media Lab?
Why or why not? How did the two Media Labs help you prepare for creating this
assignment?
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a. The previous SWAs were really helpful because it gave me insight on how to
prepare my writing. Sometimes I tend to give too much detail, or I may forget to
4. What rhetorical decisions impacted your decision to choose this technology? What were
the challenges with technology that you faced in this project? How did you overcome
these challenges? What was easiest about using this technology and what did you like?
overindulging the paragraphs. Yes, this was five pages, BUT no one wants to
5. Did you try a different program than what you used in the Media Labs? Why or why not?
a. I did not try a new program, I chose to stay with google docs because I like the
indentions, etc.
6. If you did try something different, how do you think it worked—better or worse—and
why?
a. I think if I made it into a slideshow, with photos, it would have been more visual.
7. What else would you want your instructor to know about the project and your choices