They appeared to me to denizens of the brilliant existence. ("The Bass ,the River,and Sheila Mant")
In the story "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant," the line "They appeared to me as denizens of the brilliant existence" refers to the bass fish in the river. The narrator, a young boy, sees the bass as majestic creatures, symbolizing a vibrant and extraordinary world. The bass represents a captivating life that the boy aspires to be a part of, contrasting with his own mundane and ordinary existence. Their appearance to him adds to their allure and fascination.
"The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" is a short story written by W.D. Wetherell. It tells the coming-of-age story of a young boy who develops a crush on a girl named Sheila Mant. In the story, the phrase "They appeared to me as denizens of the brilliant existence" refers to the way the boy perceives Sheila and her friends.
Step 1: Understanding the setting
"The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" takes place during a summer vacation on a river. The boy, who is an avid fisherman, lives by a river and spends his summer days fishing.
Step 2: Introduction to Sheila Mant
One day, the boy meets Sheila Mant, an attractive and popular older girl who is spending the summer in a cabin by the river. He is instantly infatuated with her and feels that she and her friends are glamorous and sophisticated.
Step 3: The fishing trip
The boy and Sheila go on a date to a Fourth of July party downstream. The boy is excited to show off his fishing skills and decides to bring along his prized catch, a large bass he had caught earlier.
Step 4: The dilemma
During the boat ride, the boy realizes that having the live bass on the boat would make him appear less cool and sophisticated to Sheila. He starts to question his priorities: does he prioritize impressing Sheila or following his passion for fishing?
Step 5: Decision and action
In the end, the boy chooses to let the bass go back into the river. He decides to prioritize his love for fishing and the tranquility it brings him, rather than trying to impress Sheila.
Step 6: Reflection
After releasing the bass, the boy reflects on his decision and realizes that Sheila and her friends were not what he imagined them to be. He realizes that the true beauty and satisfaction lie in doing what makes him happy, rather than trying to conform to societal expectations.
Therefore, the phrase "They appeared to me as denizens of the brilliant existence" suggests that the boy saw Sheila and her friends as glamorous and exciting beings, living a life different from his own. However, through his experience on the river, he comes to understand that the reality is different from his perception.
The phrase you mentioned, "They appeared to me to denizens of the brilliant existence," is from the short story "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W. D. Wetherell. In this story, the narrator describes his perception of two people, Sheila Mant and her date, as denizens of a brilliant existence.
To understand this particular phrase, it's important to look at its context within the story. In "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant," the narrator is a young boy who has developed feelings for a girl named Sheila Mant. He takes her out on a boat ride, hoping to impress her and win her over. However, the narrator is also passionate about fishing and has a bass fishing tournament to attend later that day.
As the boat ride progresses, the narrator feels torn between his love interest, Sheila, and his desire to catch the big bass he spotted earlier. Eventually, a moment arises where he has to make a choice between pulling in the fishing rod with the bass attached and impressing Sheila by not doing so. In this moment, the narrator realizes that he can't have both Sheila and the bass, as Sheila would likely be repulsed by the sight of him catching a fish.
The phrase you mentioned, "They appeared to me to denizens of the brilliant existence," is the narrator's reflection on the contrast between Sheila Mant and the bass. "Denizens of the brilliant existence" suggests that both Sheila and the bass inhabit a vivid and exciting world. However, while Sheila represents a romantic and social existence that is captivating to the narrator, the bass represents a thrilling and natural existence that appeals to his passion for fishing.
Essentially, the narrator sees Sheila and her date as beings who belong to a glitzy, sophisticated, and dazzling lifestyle, while the bass represents the untamed beauty of nature. The phrase highlights the conflict between these two worlds, and the narrator's struggle to choose between them.