Referential by Lorrie Moore

Daniel Boone.

There's a great moment in this story where the narrator wryly drops a profound aphorism: "How could people be mentally well in such a world." This statement encapsulates the story’s central theme of mental illness while also showcasing Lorrie Moore’s penchant for dark humor. It is not just a personal affliction but also a response to an overwhelming, chaotic, and indifferent world. I think there's some truth to this statement. 

Anyone familar with Vladimir Nabokov's short-story Signs and Symbols, is bound to notice a few similarities with Referential, especially the basic premise of parents visiting their son in a mental instituation. The intertextuality is fun to dissect, also riffing on the misinterpretation of symbolism that is so prevalent in Nabokovo's story. For instance, hospital policy prevents giving gifts that could be used for self-harm and she decides to get him a book about Daniel Boone. The son believes it contains secret messages or perhaps he can take inspiration from Daniel Boone's life, a reflection of his own struggles and bravery dealing with mental health issues. But, it's just a book. 

Feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt over her son’s condition, the mother is burdened by a deep and inescapable powerlessness. This also extends beyond her role as a caregiver and seeps into her romantic relationship with Pete. Though his emotional withdrawal and avoidance clearly signal his desire to end things, she either misinterprets his behavior or refuses to fully acknowledge the inevitable. Her denial or inability to confront the truth mirrors the broader theme of miscommunication that runs through the story. Similarly, the son’s cryptic and fragmented conversations appear random and disjointed, but their true meaning remains elusive to both his mother and Pete. Whether through willful ignorance, emotional detachment or simple misinterpretation, the characters struggle to connect, further emphasizing the story’s exploration of misunderstanding as a central force in their unraveling relationships.