Talk By Stephen Dixon Review

In the short story "Talk" by Stephen Dixon, the narrator constantly changes the way of narration from the first person to the third person and back. This literary method would be a little confusing for readers but it also makes the story unusual and memorable.

Basically, the story is about loneliness. The main character thinks about the fact that he hasn't spoken since the morning. He is a widow, who  lives alone since his wife’s death. The author wrote the character using pronouns- “I” and “he”. They referred to one person. The author splits the character into multiple personalities, as though the narrator is splitting himself into two. It seems as if the main character has someone to talk to, so as he is not alone.

The short story "Talk" was selected for inclusion in the 2014 O. Henry Prize Stories. Stephen Dixon's “Talk” presents a solitary existence which makes the protagonist a stranger to himself. Here the pronouns “he” also means “I.” As a result, form and meaning in the story are united and carry the idea of the importance of being an active member of society.

Here is the link to the text of the story:

http://theamericanreader.com/talk/