Selected Shorts Podcast Summary
Episode Title: The Road Not Taken
Host: Meg Wolitzer
Release Date: January 9, 2025
Producer: Symphony Space
Introduction
Host: Meg Wolitzer
Timestamp: [00:08]
Meg Wolitzer opens the episode by introducing Selected Shorts, emphasizing the show's mission to transport listeners through the magic of fiction via powerful performances by esteemed actors. She sets the thematic tone for the episode, focusing on stories where cars symbolize emotional journeys and pivotal life decisions. Meg shares a personal anecdote about her discomfort with driving, drawing a parallel between navigating physical roads and the complexities of emotional landscapes.
“Cars are already interestingly ambiguous, closed spaces in which we travel toward or away from experiences in our lives.”
— Meg Wolitzer [00:08]
First Story: "A Woman Driving Alone"
Author: Marie Helene Bertino
Narrator: Amber Tamblyn
Timestamp: [00:08] – [12:28]
Overview
Marie Helene Bertino's "A Woman Driving Alone" delves into the duality of driving as both a means of gaining independence and a vehicle for escaping uncomfortable truths. The protagonist embarks on a road trip to visit her friend Gracie, navigating not only the physical journey but also her internal struggles with health concerns and personal relationships.
Plot Highlights
-
Departure and Purpose: The narrator sets out alone, symbolizing a quest for self-awareness and a break from her usual life dynamics.
-
Encounter with Nature: Observations of wildlife, such as a hawk, mirror her feelings of isolation and distinctiveness.
“I start the car, the engine of my heart.”
— Amber Tamblyn as Narrator [03:34] -
Reflections on Relationships: The protagonist grapples with her failing relationship, contemplating her husband's neglect and her own battle with a possible cancer diagnosis.
“Everything I've carried in me, I carry out.”
— Narrator [07:45] -
Emotional Climax: A phone call about her biopsy results intensifies her internal conflict, juxtaposing the mundane aspects of her journey with life-altering revelations.
“I never want to talk about it.”
— Narrator [10:12] -
Resolution: The story concludes with a sense of unresolved tension, highlighting the protagonist's ongoing struggle to reconcile her internal fears with her external actions.
Themes
- Isolation vs. Independence: The car serves as a metaphor for solitude and self-reliance.
- Fear and Uncertainty: The protagonist's health anxieties parallel her emotional detachment.
- Relationship Dynamics: The narrative explores the complexities of maintaining connections amidst personal turmoil.
Notable Quotes
“I am a small woman filling her gas tank in the Dalles, a small woman feeding the parking meter...”
— Narrator [05:20]
“Did you tell her about the biopsy?”
— Narrator [11:30]
Host Commentary on "A Woman Driving Alone"
Timestamp: [12:28]
Meg reflects on the intricacies of the first story, appreciating the fluidity of the protagonist's thoughts and the seamless blend of the physical journey with the emotional voyage. She highlights how the character's scattered yet purposeful path mirrors real-life experiences where mundane activities coexist with profound internal struggles.
“What's striking here is the combination of the journey to see her friend and the larger personal journey into uncertainty.”
— Meg Wolitzer [14:00]
Second Story: "Nine Inches"
Author: Tom Parotta
Narrator: Santino Fontana
Timestamp: [16:34] – [55:07]
Overview
Tom Parotta's "Nine Inches" portrays Ethan, a middle school teacher tasked with chaperoning a school dance amidst his turbulent home life. The narrative delves into themes of responsibility, unrequited love, and personal regrets as Ethan interacts with his colleagues and students, culminating in a poignant reunion with an old friend, Charlotte.
Plot Highlights
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Reluctant Duty: Ethan is coerced by the vice principal to oversee the dance, exacerbating his existing familial tensions.
“Ethan didn't want to go to the middle school dance, but the vice principal twisted his arm.”
— Narrator [16:34] -
Chaperone Dynamics: Interactions with fellow chaperones Rudy and Charlotte reveal underlying personal conflicts and past connections.
“It was like a paramedic who'd happened upon an accident.”
— Narrator [25:50] -
Dance Floor Observations: Ethan observes the students, noting their anxiety and the collective energy that contrasts with his own emotional stagnation.
“You could see it in their hips and shoulders, their flailing arms and goofy faces...”
— Narrator [35:22] -
Rekindled Friendship: A chance encounter with Charlotte rekindles old feelings, leading to an unresolved romantic tension that resurfaces amidst the chaos of the dance.
“I missed you,”
— Charlotte [45:50] -
Emotional Confrontation: The story culminates in a heartfelt yet tragic interaction between Ethan and Charlotte, highlighting missed opportunities and lingering regrets.
Themes
- Responsibility vs. Personal Desire: Ethan's role as a chaperone conflicts with his longing for personal fulfillment.
- Unresolved Romance: The rekindling of Ethan and Charlotte's relationship underscores themes of lost love and second chances.
- Social Expectations: The enforced "nine-inch rule" serves as a commentary on societal norms and personal boundaries.
Notable Quotes
“We're just having a good time.”
— Ethan [50:45]
“Don't you understand that?”
— Charlotte [53:20]
“Everything worked out fine for you.”
— Charlotte [54:10]
Host Commentary on "Nine Inches"
Timestamp: [55:07]
Meg discusses the second story, emphasizing Parotta's keen insight into adolescence and the universal nature of Ethan's experiences. She reflects on the nostalgic elements and the intricate portrayal of middle school dynamics, drawing parallels between the characters' actions and broader life lessons about time, choices, and the impact of our past on our present.
“Both of the stories on today's program reflect on the idea of destinations and journeys, emotional and actual, that don't end up quite where the characters expect them to or hope they will.”
— Meg Wolitzer [55:37]
Conclusion
Host: Meg Wolitzer
Timestamp: [55:07] – End
Meg wraps up the episode by reiterating the central themes explored in both stories: the unpredictability of life's journeys and the profound impact of our decisions and missed opportunities. She invites listeners to reflect on their own paths and the subtle ways in which their choices shape their destinies.
“An altered reality can make the whole world seem different and distant, and a missed opportunity can take on the power of a dream.”
— Meg Wolitzer [55:37]
Meg also provides information about upcoming opportunities, such as submissions for the 2025 Selected Short Story Prize, encouraging aspiring writers to participate.
Additional Information
Production Credits:
- Produced by: Jennifer Brennan and Sarah Montague
- Team Members: Matthew Love, Drew Richardson, Mary Shimkin, Vivienne Woodward, Magdalene Ruplesky
- Recordings: Myles B. Smith (recordings), Phil Richards (Getty Center recordings)
- Mix Engineer: Jennifer Nolsen
- Theme Music: David Peterson's "That's the Deal" performed by the Deardorf Petersen Group
Support:
Supported by the Dungannon Foundation and public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with support from Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
Submissions:
Writers are encouraged to submit their work for the 2025 Selected Short Story Prize, judged by Ottessa Moshfegh. Details are available at selectedshorts.org.
This episode of Selected Shorts masterfully intertwines the literal and metaphorical journeys of its characters, offering listeners a profound exploration of personal growth, emotional resilience, and the intricate dance between destiny and choice.