The Dinette Set examines the self-destructive behaviors we engage in with full knowledge of the damage they do.
Burl and Joy watch a storm approach with a feeling of dread, and yet do little other than watch. They are transfixed and unable to prevent themselves from remaining in the path of destruction or to take steps to mitigate the damage. In point of fact, Burl's shirt indicates that he actively pursues dangerous situations and places himself in peril by action as often as by inaction. And the Big Book of Burl's Claims (05-06 Edition) tells us that this is not the first time that Burl has been in this office for a similar reason, with the clear implication is that it won't be the last, either.
One can easily see the larger metaphor regarding self-destructive behavior with clear echoes of Burl and Joy binging late at night to satisfy their insatiable hunger, knowing that it brings them closer to cardiac arrest every day. Or echoes of Joy remaining in a lousy marriage until the bitter end. Or echoes of Timmy's grandfather, Dale, who continues to expose Timmy to Burl's corrosive influence, despite the lasting psychological damage.
Even when we recognize the impulse towards self-destructive behavior, the panel bleakly surmises, we are unable to prevent ourselves from engaging in it.
Similarly, the insurance agent (Bill Welsh) bespeaks the soul-crushing self-inflicted agony of being an insurance agent, especially one who has earned a plaque for rejecting the most claims.
Despite the trappings of success, such as the prominent menu for a steak house, Bill is lonely and self-flagellating. A mirror is prominently positioned to give the illusion that he is on the same side of the desk as Burl and Joy. Bill makes a lame attempt to pretend that he is sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with his clients, part of the family of humanity, despite the fact that he knows he is a soul-sucking tool for larger profit margins. Just as poignantly, Bill places a toy on the edge of his desk, yet puts up a sign which points towards himself and informs him that he may not touch his own toy.
If that is not a cry for help, then I don't know what is.
Pity the marginalia:
- Regarding the Hurricane Huntress shirt...how frequent are hurricanes in Illinois?
- "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I think someone may have forgotten to mess up this phrase to make it reflect poorly on the insurance agent. Because I don't actually expect my insurance company to help fix things that aren't broken.
- At least some portion of Burl's hand/arm did not get drawn and it's creeping me out.
3 comments:
As far as I know, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse doesn't do takeout. So, this here insurance agent just keeps a menu around for what? Planning purposes?
I think there's also something very powerful in taking a toy such as the newton's balls executive desk toy, one which cries out to be played with, and attaching a note that says "don't touch" on it. Of course, Burl can't read that note, since it's facing the insurance agent with an appetite for preplanned steaks.
So, perhaps Burl is doing nothing wrong. The agent has those balls for his clients, but he himself may never touch them, like moses and the promised land.
Hmm, it just occurred to me that there's humor of a low-brow sort in discussing Burl playing with the insurance agent's balls.
-- Pfooti (who can't make logged-in comments anymore because he moved to the beta blogger system, bleah)
Yes, Burl's arm is incredibly disturbing... I assume that's supposed to be his right arm, but it appears to be a tiny left arm coming from somewhere in the area of his right knee. Maybe in addition to the power to swivel his head like an owl, Burl can also sprout new limbs at will.
I think the implication is the damage wasn't caused by thier inaction, but by thier deliberate action. With the storm approaching they moved the car from the garage (where it would be safe) to the driveway, then sat in the garage in order to observe the storm from a relitevely safe vantage point.
Post a Comment