Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Should Jim Be Happy?

The focus on Grandpa Jim the last 2 days in For Better or For Worse has been on his overuse of the uncommunicative “No!” There are several levels on which this is stuff and nonsense, not the least of which are the already-existing strips which show Grandpa Jim’s verbal answer does not necessarily match his mental answer.

The common criticism with the treatment of the Jim and Iris story is that no one in the Patterson family ever seems to help them out, except in the monthly letters. We have read several strips of Iris struggling with Jim alone, and have been led to sympathize with them, for what they are both going through. When the Pattersons have visited, it has almost always been with the express purpose of spending time with Jim and not helping Iris with anything. Jim and Iris are so grateful for those visits, Iris usually lavishes praise on the visiting Patterson.

I have been waiting for the real Jim to return. Not the Jim who could talk, but the Jim who was shown time and time again, not to care much for anyone in his family except for April and Dixie. I remember his last pre-stroke birthday party week, in March 27 – April 1, 2006; where Jim talks about how he wished he could record the family conversations so he could play them back and put himself to sleep. Or how Jim declares that the best part of a birthday party is the part where everyone leaves. Or how Jim complains no one ever listens to his advice.

I loved cranky, old Jim. However, I think the rest of the world has forgotten about him. Iris is actually concerned she needs to talk to the doctor about Jim’s crankiness. Elly seems distressed about Jim’s “No”s, and badgers him with question after question, without waiting for the answer. Why can’t they let him be in a bad mood? They always used to let him.

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