Say Yes

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1985

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Summary

Story Analysis

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Literary Devices

Dialectic

“Say Yes” is structured around a complex argument, making it a dialectic. A dialectic piece of work often depicts the conflict of two opposing forces and their ultimate synthesis, reconciliation, or discovery of something new. In “Say Yes,” the tension is whether or not Black Americans and white Americans can ever fully understand one another. Ann believes it’s possible, and her husband does not. However, the story offers no easy answers. Although the husband’s stance may seem flawed and inherently racist, Wolff still offers some complexity to his argument. Black Americans have been racialized and forced into racial categories by white Americans and because of that imposition, the husband is right that there are some experiences white Americans will never fully grasp or understand. Ann seems to be in the right because she has the more egalitarian stance, but Wolff complicates her position, revealing its simplicity. Her husband tells her that she would not be herself if she were born African American. She is forced to agree because of the social forces that shape one’s race in society. In a traditional dialectic structure, both arguments are given equal weight and ultimately merge to form a conclusion. In the end, the husband realizes the artificial quality of race and questions whether he really knows his wife.

Omniscient Narration

“Say Yes” communicates the interior thoughts and emotions of the characters through omniscient narration. It is told in the third person, but the narrator gives the reader access to the specific feelings of the couple as they argue. Primarily, Wolff offers the husband’s perspective since the story mainly follows his emotional arc. When he goes to take out the trash, he ruminates about the past, his marriage, and the argument. Wolff allows the reader entry to his unvoiced thoughts. However, Wolff does not give a parallel scene for his wife. Ann is never seen alone in the story, but when she and her husband are in the same room, Wolff grants the reader access to her internal thoughts and reactions. Omniscient narration becomes essential since the story hinges on their argument, and in order to supply both parties with enough nuance and complexity, Wolff gives the reader insight into what goes unsaid between the couple.

Dramatic Structure

“Say Yes” has a classic dramatic structure. It presents the collision of two ideas in opposition with one another, which results in a climax at the story’s midpoint. The couple’s disagreement over interracial marriage sets the plot into motion, putting the husband and the wife at odds with each other. The tension between them builds as the husband offers more details on his perspective, stating “how can you understand someone who comes from a completely different background?” (2) His wife contributes to the tension not only by rejecting his stance, but also by failing to properly wash the dishes during their conversation, which angers her husband, causing him to “[dump] all the silverware back into the sink” (2). Both their actions and words contribute to the tense domestic scene, which happens in real time and is mainly dialogue, contributing to the drama. After Ann cuts her finger and the husband admits he would not marry her if she were African American, Ann leaves the kitchen, hurt and offended.

Although the conflict of the story is not resolved, after this climax, there’s a sense of calm in aftermath. In classic dramatic structure, the husband’s ruminations and cleaning juxtaposed with the wife’s silent reading of magazine can be considered “falling action.” The tension of the climax is still present, sustaining the story till the end, but both characters are forced to grapple with the fallout individually before they can reunite at the end and achieve a resolution. However, the story’s “resolution” is ambiguous. Ann and her husband are reunited at the end of the night, but through the husband’s perspective, he’s been changed by the earlier argument and relates differently to his wife.