The Stone Boy by Gina Berriault
"The Stone Boy" by Gina Berriault is a poignant narrative centered around a nine-year-old boy named Arnold who inadvertently causes the death of his older brother, Eugie, during a trip to the garden. Rather than focusing solely on the tragedy of the accident, the story delves into Arnold's perplexing decision to remain in the garden for an hour picking peas instead of immediately seeking help. This behavior baffles his parents and Uncle Andy, who fail to comprehend Arnold's actions. The sheriff concludes that the shooting was accidental but questions Arnold’s emotional state, suggesting he may be either dim-witted or unfeeling.
The story raises deeper questions about trauma, responsibility, and familial connection, as Arnold’s mother struggles to engage with him afterward, leading to feelings of isolation. The narrative unfolds in an epiphanic style, offering no clear resolution or explanation for Arnold's emotional detachment. As Arnold's mother reaches out to him at the story's conclusion, his rejection highlights a profound disconnect, prompting readers to reflect on the dynamics of family relationships and the potential impact of "stone" parenting. This exploration invites varied interpretations regarding Arnold's psyche and the responses of those around him in the wake of tragedy.
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The Stone Boy by Gina Berriault
First published: 1957
Type of plot: Psychological
Time of work: The 1950's
Locale: A farm near a rural community in the United States
Principal Characters:
Arnold Curwing , a nine-year-old boy who accidentally kills his brotherEugie Curwing , his fifteen-year-old brotherMr. Curwing , his fatherMrs. Curwing , his motherNora Curwing , his sister
The Story
"The Stone Boy" is a story about a nine-year-old boy who accidentally kills his older brother as they are on their way to the garden to pick peas. The fact of the accidental killing of Eugie, however, is not the major question posed by the characters in this story. Rather, the question involves why Arnold, after having accidentally killed his brother, does not return home immediately to call for help from his parents but instead spends an hour in the garden, picking peas. Arnold's father and mother and his Uncle Andy are unable to understand what kept Arnold in the garden while his brother lay dead. Arnold, himself, has no answer. All he can say is that the purpose of his trip to the garden in the first place was to pick peas, and the peas had to be picked while it was still cool, before the sun came up. The sheriff comes to the conclusion that the shooting was indeed an accident, that there was no malice intended, and that Arnold is either dim-witted or completely rational but unfeeling, like many criminals.
Under the circumstances, Arnold's father can think of nothing to do but take the gun away from the boy; Uncle Andy accepts the sheriff's explanation to the extent of making ironic and mean comments about Arnold's behavior to the farm people, who call on the Curwings to express their sympathy. Arnold's mother can hardly bear to look at her son, and his sister, Nora, ignores his presence.
If the sheriff is correct in his explanation of Arnold's behavior, then Arnold is, indeed, a stone boy, unable to weep at a tragic accident, uncaring, and perhaps even cruel. On the other hand, one could argue that the boy is only nine, that his remaining in the garden to pick peas was the result of a trauma brought on by a sense of responsibility for the death of a brother who was his favorite companion. In this instance, a reader could question the motivation of the parents, relatives, and friends, who offer Arnold no solace or comfort in a time of intense need. Perhaps the author is demonstrating that "stone" parents create "stone" boys.
Answers to all these questions concerning the motivation of the characters must be found in the details of the story because the point of view Gina Berriault uses restricts the reader to Arnold's consciousness, and Arnold does not know why he behaves as he does. Moreover, since the plot is epiphanic, beginning in medias res without exposition and concluding without resolution, the author provides no explanation. In addition, the epiphanic ending of the story is even more puzzling than the unanswered questions concerning motivation. At the end of the story, Arnold's mother attempts to make some human contact with her son, but Arnold rejects her:
"What'd you want?" she asked humbly.
"I didn't want nothing," he said flatly.
Then he went out of the door and down the back steps, his legs trembling from the fright his answer gave him.
This kind of epiphany at the end of the story throws a reader back to the beginning of the story to seek clarification and meaning.