The Ultimate Sacrifice

Cheerver's 1949 short story "The Hartleys" depicts a brief ski trip taken by a dissatisfied family, in effort to repair their broken marriage. The story is told as a mere snap shot by an absent narrator, who is unable to capture the emotions of the characters. Besides knowing that the Hartley's had previously stayed at Pemaquoddy Inn eight years ago, one knows no outside information. Because of the third person perspective, Mr. and Mrs. Hartley are depicted completely through their actions, leaving one to question the emotions behind those actions. For example, Mr. Hartley is constantly helping his family with driving, carrying bags, and taking care of Anne, yet one is never privy to his thoughts, and whether his actions are sincere. The only character who is open with her emotions is seven year old Anne, but her emotions can be attributed to her young age, which ultimately does not provide insight into the characters situation.

The Hartley's lack communication and passion for one another, but one assumes there must be deeper issues that initially broke their marriage. On page 63, the maid overhears their private conversation, and discovers, that this trip was taken to revisit a place, where they once thought they were happy. The key word being "thought". Mrs. Hartley is determined to undermined the entire trip, and begs for a separation. She sounds like a child, when she begs her husband to let her take Anne, "Why can't I..." causing one to wonder whether she was jealous that her daughter prefers to be with Mr. Hartley?

So... where does that leave us? Basically one is left with seemingly little information into this family's situation. Therefore, when Anne suddenly dies at the end, one is shocked, because the beginning of the story does not prepare for a tragic ending. Now, would be a good time for Cheever to provide insight into the Hartley's emotions after this tragedy, but in keeping with the story, the parents are minimally described as following the hearse home. However, the last line describes Mr. Hartley as "arranging the blankets" over his wife's legs, which depicts an intimate relationship. This small action, provides the ultimate question of whether their marriage will go back to how it was eight years ago, before Anne was born? Was Anne the ultimate sacrifice, to save their marriage?