Attraction and Repulsion

A common theme of attraction and repulsion between different individuals was common to many of the stories that we read. In “I Want to Know Why” these feelings occur between the narrator and a man by the name of Jerry Tillford. The narrator forms a sort of fatherly bond with Jerry. In “Ligeia” these feelings of attraction and repulsion are felt by the narrator as well, although the feelings are focused on his wife. Although these stories are drastically different they have the same underlying theme.
The narrator in “I Want to Know Why” has throughout his life lacked a true father. His father is a lawyer and seems to pay little or no attention to him. His father lacks interest in things his son does and even lacks disciplining him. When the narrator stole his fathers’ cigar and ate half of it he didn’t get punished. The narrator says, “when I told what I had done and why most fathers would have whipped me but mine didn’t”(Anderson, 391). Due to the fact ...