Emasculation and Power

In Porter’s That Tree, the main character, the journalist, struggles with the idea of power and emasculation. While we typically see women who are portrayed as “floaters” in Porter’s stories, the journalist (male) in this story assumes this role. In his relationship with Miriam, this role reversal is increasingly evident. Before Miriam’s arrival, the journalist lives with an Indian woman who becomes the mother of his child. When the woman finally leaves, she takes the child with her. The journalist thinks in response, “that’s mine,” … “perhaps,” thus implying that the narrator is incapable of standing up for himself and allows himself to be run by women. Furthermore, the Indian woman asks for furniture as a dowry for her future (non-existent) marriage, and the journalist gladly gives it to her. Therefore, upon Miriam’s arrival, the journalist owns nothing and shortly thereafter looses is job. During the course of their marriage, the journalist remains unemployed while Miriam teaches school. The journalist’s feelings of emasculation by Miriam are fully demonstrated in the restaurant scene, where his wife hides under a table when a man pulls out a gun, rather than using him (the journalist) as a shield. Already feeling emasculated by her, the journalist’s manhood is deeply offended by this act because Miriam has subconsciously demonstrated that even she finds him inadequate. Though there are many more things that can be mentioned to demonstrate role reversals and emasculation the final page of this story is crucial. After Miriam left him, the journalist (a former daydreamer and shoddy poet) realizes that he needs to find a powerful job. Consequently, he becomes a journalist and luckily he is successful. He marries twice more, wielding his status and profession over his spouses and they are subservient. However, the journalist is not content. He feels that he needs another chance with Miriam so that he can prove to her, as well as himself and the world, that he is indeed a man because she represents the male characteristics he so desires to have. Thus, he wants her to be subservient to him and run the marriage the way it should have been the first time (in the journalist’s eyes).