Response to Lydia Davis's "Television"

            Lydia Davis’s short story entitled, “Television,” is an intriguing and insightful contemporary work.  The story follows a typical family and their particular relationships with various shows and networks on television.  Each character tends to have their own perception of the television.  For example, the mother has a crush on the anchorman, and the father can’t wait for the cameraman to reveal the young reporter’s dress.  The narrator uses the word “we” quite a bit.  This strategy both integrates the perspective of the family and reaches beyond to address a broader audience, such as middle-class America.  Many times, the narrator purposefully overstates the familial desire for steadfast and convenient lives that are portrayed on cable.  While investing in the programs, the narrator states that, “…we believe in this world.  We believe these people are speaking to us.”

            The structure of the story is done very well.  It is divided up into three sections with the last section being the “sum-up” and conclusion of the story.  The line breaks help the reader adjust and change perspectives as the writer wishes.  “We” changes to “I” as Davis shifts as the narrator loses focus and begins hearing geese outside in which she initially mistakes for another television.

            Davis makes a powerful point in “Television” and includes the very real attitude of American’s wishful thinking.  The desire to retreat into a fictional world is prevalent as Davis explains that they wish to “…skip over all the complications.”  Obviously, this is a feat in which no one can achieve.  “…We want major events,” claims Davis.  It would seem as if the world would be more interesting if it were a drama program.  However, one can miss the beauty of life everyday that surrounds.  Excitement and entertainment is there for people to find, but the willingness to search is weak and concludes to be subservient.