Summary Of Average Waves In Unprotected Waters

764 Words4 Pages
In today’s society, many children with mental disabilities are treated as if they are a normal kid. They go to school, interact with their peers and live their life to the best of their abilities. Even though today’s world fully embraces and accepts kids with mental disabilities, it was not always like that. Back then, they did not have the best care, support, and guidance for mentally handicapped children. In the story, Average Waves in Unprotected Waters, by Anne Tyler, it demonstrates the harsh reality of a single mother, with a child who has autism, in the mid-1970’s. Bet, the mother, realize her son named Arnold was getting to hard to handle. She struggling financially and had to make the tough choice to send Arnold to a mental hospital.…show more content…
There is no doubt that Bet loved Arnold emensky and would truly do anything for him. For example, Bet bought Arnold a jacket and cost her half a week’s salary. They loved in a one bedroom apartment with not a lot of money at all. Instead of using the money for something else, she spent it on a nice coat for Arnold to look “normal” as Bet would say. Regardless of how hard times got, Bet always found a way to make it work. Her motivation to keep pushing was from her ense love for Arnold. The narrator quotes, “She wanted the to see how small and neat he was, how somebody cherished him.” When Bet took Arnold to the hospital, she wanted to make sure Arnold had nothing on his face or clothes, and everything was in place. Bet wanted to show the nurses how special Arnold was and that he came from a loving place. In addition, Bet really cared about what other people thought. She could not stand when people would look at Arnold differently. She couldn't stand it not because it was embarrassing, she hated it because Arnold was a person too and should be treated no differently than anyone else. Tha is Bet’s true motherly and loving instincts toward her son coming out. Bet could have easily given up on her son like her ex-husband did, but Bet decided to love Arnold regardless of his mental…show more content…
It often resulted in indecisiveness. It stated all the way back since her childhood. Her father would want to teach her how to body surf and she would grit her teeth and stand there stiff as if something was holding her back. Also, she would often go back and forth with herself about Arnold. She sometimes would blame herself for Arnold’s mental problem. “But other times she was sure the gene was hers. It seemed so natural; she never could do anything as well as most people.” Bet battles her own thoughts and is constantly blaming herself in situations that are not her fault. When Arnold was born, Bet had a husband named Avery. Once Arnold was diagnosed, he left. Bet continued to stay in the apartment after he walked out.” In fact, she did stay in their apartment for months after he had gone, though the rent was far too high.” It was almost as if Bet had this fake hope that Avery would come back. The rent was far too high, but she stayed. She could not make up her mind to stay or go. Lastly, when Bet drops off Arnold at the hospital, she timed her train to leave 15 minutes after leaving the hospital. Instead of Bet getting there right on time, the train was actually 20 minutes behind. Bet freaks out and does not want to sit in the station. She wanted the train to be there right away so she could avoid sitting in the station alone with her thoughts. Bet was scared if she thought about too much she would regret her
Show More
Related

  • Average Waves In Unprotected Waters Summary

    999 Words  | 4 Pages

    In “Average Waves in Unprotected Waters” by Anne Tyler, readers follow Bet Blevins and her mentally disabled son, Arnold, during the 1970’s. The two were on a journey to a mental institution where Arnold would be living. Anne Tyler shows the battle of a single mother trying to raise a disabled child and struggling to do so. The point of view of the story is third person limited, and mainly focuses on Bet’s insecurity about parenting, her struggles to continue raising Arnold, and the signs that she

    Read More

  • Average Waves In Unprotected Water Summary

    429 Words  | 2 Pages

    Caring for a child is a challenge in itself. Being a single parent with a child who has autism is even more challenging. Tough times can make a person go through extreme measures. In the short story “Average Waves in Unprotected Water” the author helps stress this theme through the troubled times leading up to unfortunate events. When a point is reached that a person cannot handle the situation they must take action. Bet comes to a decision that will change her life forever. Once married and has

    Read More

More about Summary Of Average Waves In Unprotected Waters

Open Document