Hickory Chair

Summary

In 'The Hickory Chair,' Lewis recalls his special bond with his grandmother, whose presence lingers in sensory memories of lilacs, bleach, and the warmth of her chair. As a child, Lewis plays hide and seek with his family, where his grandmother cleverly hides notes for each grandchild. After her passing, Lewis embarks on a quest to find his grandmother’s final note, feeling forgotten when he doesn’t find it. However, the discovery of a note in the cherished chair brings him comfort, as he reconnects with her memory. This poignant narrative touches on themes of love, loss, and the power of memory.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story centers around the narrator's memories of their grandmother (gran) and the special bond they shared, particularly through games of hide and seek.
• 😀 Gran had a unique way of hiding notes for her family members, which became a key theme in the narrative.
• 😀 The narrator, despite being born blind, recalls their experience of 'blind sight,' a form of inner vision that helped them 'see' their surroundings.
• 😀 The narrator remembers the smells associated with their gran: lilacs, bleach, and a general sense of comfort.
• 😀 The hickory chair carved by gran's husband (gramps) is a symbol of family history and love, connecting multiple generations.
• 😀 At the funeral, the family gathers to hear gran's will, which includes hidden notes for each of her loved ones.
• 😀 The narrator experiences disappointment when they can't find the note intended for them, even though others find theirs.
• 😀 The concept of 'blind sight' plays a significant role, with the narrator using it to search for their special note from gran.
• 😀 Despite searching through gran's belongings, the narrator ultimately finds their note in the very chair gran used to sit in.
• 😀 The story concludes with the narrator, now an adult, finding gran's note hidden in the same chair, cementing the enduring connection between them.

Q & A

What is the central object in the story and what does it symbolize?

The central object in the story is the hickory chair. It symbolizes the grandmother's love, presence, and the enduring connection to family. The chair is also a vessel for memories, carrying the narrator's nostalgic emotions and the grandmother's legacy.

How does the narrator describe their sensory experience of the grandmother's presence?

The narrator, who is blind, experiences their grandmother’s presence through sensory details like smell and touch. They describe a distinct scent of lilacs mixed with bleach, as well as the warmth and comfort felt from the chair and their grandmother's voice, creating a vivid memory of her even after her passing.

What role does the concept of 'blind sight' play in the story?

'Blind sight' is a concept used to describe the narrator's ability to perceive and understand things beyond physical sight. This ability allows the narrator to 'see' and feel the hidden love and meaning in their grandmother's actions, especially when searching for the hidden notes, despite being physically blind.

How does the family react to the grandmother’s passing and the reading of her will?

The family is deeply affected by the grandmother's death. At the reading of her will, they recall fond memories of her, including her ability to hide notes in creative places. The atmosphere is heavy with grief, but the story of her quirky notes adds a sense of warmth and fond remembrance to the moment.

What does the grandmother’s hiding of notes under pillows or in unexpected places symbolize?

The grandmother’s hiding of notes symbolizes her playful, loving nature and her desire to maintain connection with her family, even after death. The notes represent small, personal gestures of affection, preserving her memory and love in tangible ways.

Why does the narrator feel left out during the search for the hidden notes?

The narrator feels left out because, despite their efforts, they are the only one in the family who doesn’t find a note hidden by the grandmother. This sense of exclusion highlights the narrator's feelings of loss and the yearning to hold onto their special connection with their grandmother.

What is the significance of the narrator finding a note in the chair?

The narrator's discovery of the note in the chair symbolizes the culmination of their search for connection with their grandmother. It represents a final, emotional bond, affirming the narrator's place as the 'favorite youngest grandchild,' and it provides a sense of closure to their grief.

How does the sensory imagery (like the smell of lilacs and bleach) enhance the emotional impact of the story?

The sensory imagery, particularly the recurring smell of lilacs and bleach, evokes a powerful emotional response, connecting the reader to the narrator's memories of comfort, love, and loss. These sensory details deepen the emotional resonance of the narrative, making the reader feel the narrator's nostalgia and connection to the grandmother.

What does the ending of the story reveal about the narrator’s understanding of their grandmother?

The ending reveals that the narrator, now older, has come to understand the depth of their grandmother’s love and how it was woven into the everyday objects she cherished. The narrator realizes that the love and memories from their grandmother transcend material possessions and are carried within the emotions tied to those objects.

What does the story suggest about the way memories are preserved after a loved one’s death?

The story suggests that memories are preserved not just in physical objects but through emotional connections and sensory experiences. The narrator’s ability to remember their grandmother through the chair and the smells of lilacs and bleach highlights how love and memory can endure in intangible forms even after a person is gone.