Student Question
Why are the barber's name and the setting kept unknown in "Just Lather, That's All"?
Quick answer:
The anonymity of the barber's name and the setting in "Just Lather, That's All" serves to universalize the story, making it relatable to a broader audience. By avoiding specific details, the narrative transcends geographical boundaries, encouraging readers from various backgrounds to connect with its themes. This approach emphasizes the story's message, suggesting it could occur anywhere, thus enhancing its relevance and impact on a diverse readership.
In my opinion, the reason to do this is to make the story seem more universal and less tied to any one particular place.
If you look at this story, all you really know is that it probably takes place somewhere where the people speak Spanish. We know this because the captain's name is Torres. Outside of that, it could be anywhere.
When a story is set in some place, it makes it harder to identify with the characters. It becomes a story from that place and if you don't live there, you might think it has nothing to do with your life.
But by making it more anonymous and placeless, the author makes it feel like it could be anywhere and so we should all pay attention to its message.
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