The New Yorker: Fiction
Lydia Davis Reads Robert Gorham Davis
Nov 2, 2015
Lydia Davis reads and discusses her father Robert Gorham Davis's story 'Then We'll Set It Right.' They explore themes of children with guns and manliness in the story, discuss the author's role as a father, analyze the controversial actions of the protagonist, and reflect on the author's regrets and writing style. They also discuss the potential use of the author's unpublished novel for biographical material.
44:57
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Quick takeaways
- The story 'Then We'll Set It Right' explores themes of masculinity, the dangers of child's play with real weapons, and the devastating consequences of war.
- The role of parents in shaping a child's behavior and their responsibility in ensuring their safety is highlighted, as the story raises questions about parental influence and the consequences of not paying attention to children's activities.
Deep dives
The danger of children playing with guns
The podcast discusses a short story called 'Then We'll Set It Right' by Robert Gorham Davis, which was published in The New Yorker in 1943. The story is set during World War II and follows a group of boys who are playing war games in a sand pit. One boy convinces another to bring a real gun, and tragedy ensues when a boy is accidentally shot and killed. The story explores themes of masculinity, the dangers of child's play with real weapons, and the devastating consequences of war.
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