Essence of Silent Snow Secret Snow
- This is a preview of the essay.
To view the full text you must login!
In Conrad Aiken's short story, "Silent Snow, Secret Snow," tween Paul Hasleman constructs his own conscious reality, where he secretly discovers the elements of manhood, which he uses to detach himself from the outside world, exemplified by a symbolic snow. Twelve year old Paul begins to conceive an individual awareness, consequentially embracing a new reality. Paul's changing emotions, thoughts, and desires are the components of his maturing identity, as he begins to uncover the concepts of approaching adulthood. Unusual behavior from Paul emanates concern from his parents who pry into his life yearning to understand him. Stimulated by his newfound will, Paul devises a fantasy world of metaphorical snow in which he explores his revelation, while functioning in his new found state of consciousness.
Paul composes a new reality as he begins to contrive an individual cognizance. This tween uses his mind to create his own immediate freedom, which acts as a shield against his struggle with harsh reality. "It was as if, in some delightful way, his secret gave him a fortress, a wall behind which he could retreat into heavenly seclusion (P155)." He is torn between two worlds. "On one hand he had to be Paul Hasleman, and keep up the appearance of being that person- dress, wash, and answer intelligently when spoken to-; on the other, he had to explore this new world which had been opened to him (P160)...