Discussion for Wednesday January 16, 2019---John Collier's Story: Thus I Refute Beelzy

[do1you9love?]

So, I'm lame and missed the discussion AGAIN! This is a great little short story. I first found it in a collection from a thrift store, something like Amazing Tales, but I can't remember exactly.

My thoughts on the father: His insistence on treating his son as if they were buddies (Big and Little) then refusing to allow him to have his own thoughts, including his friend Mr. Beelzy, leading a threatened beating... yeah, I can see that as abusive. The mom seems just distracted the whole time and what is the deal with the friend?? I think we all need a friend who has our back that much.

 

[Spideyman]

I don't mind choosing another story, but it will probably be another non-supernatural story. If you need someone week after next just tag me.

Doc Creed sound like a plan-- go ahead -- think of a story-- and we'll put it on our calendar for January 30th.

 

[do1you9love?]

How about a return to Joe Hill's 20th Century Ghost book--- Last Breath ?
January 23rd 8PM eastern

open for other suggestions...

Oh, yes! I just finished that one. I'll do my best to be on time next week!

 

[Spideyman]

Oh, yes! I just finished that one. I'll do my best to be on time next week!

 

[fljoe0]

I don't mind choosing another story, but it will probably be another non-supernatural story. If you need someone week after next just tag me.

Spidey has already chosen. It's Last Breath by Joe Hill. We'll get to you and Cat the next two weeks.

Same bat time same bat channel.

 

[Dana Jean]

HollyGolightly Yeah, I saw the father as stern but not abusive. He was condescending to a six-year-old and trying to reason with him, as one would be with a boy talking of imaginary friends.

We are never given proof that Beelzy exists; even with the father's gruesome remains upstairs. I think the story is deceptively simple but it is impressive how easily the author leads the reader to believe the boy. Did anyone other than Small Simon see Beelzy? Could it be possible that the little boy killed his father? (Or what if Beelzy is real...an escaped convict? I'm reaching, but it just now occurs to me that there could be other explanations.) For the record, I think Beelzy was the devil incarnate, as his name suggests and as fljoe0 noted.

I don't think the little boy killed his father because all that was left of him was a shoe with a foot. Little Simon couldn't have so efficiently cleaned up a crime scene.

 

[Dana Jean]

This was a good little story! First time read for me, too. I can see the abusive father angle, but to me it felt more like the father was not used to being bucked at all, his was the final word, period. Kind of set this story in a Victorian era in my mind. I don't know if that is correct or not. The ending sneaks up so quick yet it is the perfect ending. I enjoyed it!

I agree. He was the authority and you say, do, see what I say you say, do and see.

It was almost like he was embarrassed that his son had an imaginary friend and that something about that just wasn't right. Of course kids have imaginary friends. But, dad was right. Something wasn't right. Maybe if he would've paid more attentive care to Little Simon, he wouldn't have needed to find friendship with Beelzy.

Loved the Vincent Price recording.

 

[Doc Creed]

I don't think the little boy killed his father because all that was left of him was a shoe with a foot. Little Simon couldn't have so efficiently cleaned up a crime scene.

Right. There's that.

 

[Doc Creed]

Spidey has already chosen. It's Last Breath by Joe Hill. We'll get to you and Cat the next two weeks.

Same bat time same bat channel.

Yeah, I said week after next. The 30th. Sounds great.

 

[Dana Jean]

Right. There's that.

 

[Tery]

Right. There's that.

Like Beelzy opened up his mouth and ate Daddy in one bite... just missed the foot.

 

[do1you9love?]

Like Beelzy opened up his mouth and ate Daddy in one bite... just missed the foot.

Right! Wasn't the line something about what a cat would leave behind off his whiskers when devouring a mouse?

 

[CoriSCapnSkip]

Right! Wasn't the line something about what a cat would leave behind off his whiskers when devouring a mouse?

An unforgettable ending to a great story! Ray Bradbury personally told me, when I asked if he was influenced by H. H. Munro (Saki) that any such influence was "all John Collier."