Week 13: The Aquatic Uncle

In class we read The Aquatic Uncle, a short story by Italo Calvino. I personally enjoyed this story seeing as it portrayed an element of science and heavily referred to the theory of evolution. Like classic nursery rhymes or folk tales it used the personification of animals in order to tell the story which also allowed it to stay lighthearted in nature. Throughout the entire narrative my attention was always kept and curiosity always piqued due to the fact that I constantly wanted to know what land animal or creature the female protagonist was since the authors explanation of her was consistently vague. My first impression of it was one we see often in media today, "X old person doesn't like current technology/ways of living and is stubborn until they are convinced otherwise due to need".  It wasn't surprising that the fiance was patient and supportive of him as she fit the role of  "empathetic female" who wished nothing more than to get along with her future husband's family. As the story progressed you could tell the shift between just trying to get along with the uncle to a genuine interest and curiosity in his aquatic way of living.  Needless to say after this extended buildup I wasn't overly shocked by the outcome of this story seeing as the female character ran off to be with the uncle, someone who supported her interest, rather than stay on land with her former fiance, someone who no longer wanted an aquatic lifestyle and couldn't understand her choice in the matter. With the concept of evolution still in mind it really made me think how the transition wasn't a simple one of water life straight to land but rather a process of back and forth shifting between the two.