A Brief Review Of Summer Anniversary By Chas Adlard | Latest Edition [PATCHED]
Summer Anniversary by Chas Adlard: A Summary and Analysis Updated Version
Summer Anniversary is a short story by Australian writer Chas Adlard, who is known for his realistic and humorous portrayal of life in Australia. The story was first published in 2009 and won a prize in The Advertiser short story competition. It tells the tragic tale of a man who decides to end his life on the anniversary of his wife's death in a car accident. The story explores the themes of love, loss, loneliness, and society's indifference to human suffering.
A Brief Review of Summer Anniversary by Chas Adlard | Latest Edition
The Plot of Summer Anniversary
The story begins with a flashback of the fatal car accident that killed Adelaide, the wife of Bert, the main character. Bert was driving their Mercedes when a truck hit them from behind, causing Adelaide to die instantly. Bert survived but was left with a broken heart and unanswered questions. He blamed himself for not being able to save his wife and wondered why he was spared.
The story then shifts to the present day, where Bert is preparing to celebrate his 30th wedding anniversary with Adelaide. He dresses up in a suit and tie, buys a bottle of champagne, and drives to the beach where they used to spend their anniversaries. He parks his car near the water and plays their favorite song on the radio. He pours two glasses of champagne and talks to Adelaide as if she were still alive. He tells her that he loves her and that he can't live without her. He says that he has made a commitment to join her soon.
The story then reveals that Bert's commitment is actually his plan to commit suicide. He has sealed all the windows and doors of his car and attached a hose from the exhaust pipe to the inside. He turns on the engine and waits for the carbon monoxide to suffocate him. He closes his eyes and imagines that he is holding Adelaide's hand.
The story ends with two fishermen discovering Bert's car on the beach. They are not shocked or saddened by his death. They only comment on how nice his car is and how foolish he was to waste it. They call the police and then resume their fishing. They show no sympathy or compassion for Bert's plight. They represent the cold and uncaring society that Bert lived in.
The Themes of Summer Anniversary
One of the main themes of Summer Anniversary is love. The story shows how deeply Bert loved Adelaide and how much he missed her after she died. He was unable to move on or find happiness without her. He felt that she was his soulmate and that they belonged together. He wanted to die so that he could be with her again.
Another theme of Summer Anniversary is loss. The story depicts how devastating it can be to lose someone you love in a sudden and violent way. Bert lost not only his wife but also his sense of purpose and meaning in life. He felt empty and hopeless without Adelaide. He had no interest in anything else or anyone else. He lost his will to live.
A third theme of Summer Anniversary is loneliness. The story portrays how lonely Bert was after Adelaide's death. He had no friends or family to support him or comfort him. He isolated himself from the world and lived in his memories of Adelaide. He felt that no one understood him or cared about him. He felt that he had nothing left to live for.
A fourth theme of Summer Anniversary is society's indifference to human suffering. The story illustrates how insensitive and apathetic people can be towards others who are in pain or distress. The fishermen who found Bert's car did not show any empathy or respect for him or his situation. They only cared about his car and how much it was worth. They did not bother to learn his name or his story. They did not try to help him or prevent him from killing himself. They treated him as an object rather than a person.
The Conclusion of Summer Anniversary
Summer Anniversary is a sad and moving story that explores the effects of love, loss, loneliness, and society's indifference on a man who decides to end his life on the anniversary of his wife's death. It shows how powerful and painful love can be, how hard it can be to cope with loss, how lonely it can be to live without someone you love, and how cruel and unc 04f6b60f66