Summary Of The Bass The River And Sheila Mant

Words: 412
Pages: 2

W.D. Wetherell’s coming-of-age short story “The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant” recounts the adolescent struggles of a teenage boy during a memorable vacation on the Connecticut River in the 1960s. An avid fisherman, the innocent and naïve fourteen-year-old finds his feelings torn between a beautiful girl and an elusive bass. Upon reflection of that haunting summer, the protagonist, regretful of his decision to conceal his passion to win over Sheila, illustrates the author’s theme of staying true to one’s self. For example, throughout the exposition and rising action of Wetherell’s narrative, the author juxtaposes the teen’s obvious crush on his neighbor with his intense love of fishing. When not pining for Sheila, the narrator spends