The Skirt by Zoe Lambert Short Story Analysis

There are scars and wounds that never shows on the skin, yet they are deeper and more hurtful than the bleeding and bruising of the skin. If these scars and wounds are unseen on the surface, how should they be treated. In Zoe Lambert’s short story “The skirt”, published in 2006. There is given an option for a solution. It tells the story of a former comedian, Bethany, who after an undescribed experience ends up in a wheelchair unable to move her legs. She deals with lots of self-hate and trauma yet tries to fix herself with herbal and other physical treatments. Bethany slowly learns to cope and fix herself from the inside. 

The story is mainly set in the modern-day Manchester, England, in the month of July. The readers know this because of the continues mentions of places such as Blackpool and Market Street. It takes place in an old house, which was last renewed around the 70’s, “Green and yellow triangles stained with ancient 70’s smoke”, (l. 64) it is written that the wallpaper still contains the smoke and smell from 70’s. the adverb “ancient” is even used to amplify that the story does not take place in the 70’s. This house belongs to the free-spirited mother of Bethany and Rob, who all live together for different reasons. Bethany’s being that she unable to take care of herself since coming back from the hospital. This made Bethany depend a lot on her mother, who is very free-spirited and believes that herbals, medicines and such can fix everything. She seems very caring for both Robb and Bethany by letting them stay in the house rent free. As well as daily taking care of Bethany’s needs and problems such as lifting and drying her. “Mum’s tone was exactly the tone she used when we were teenagers.” (ll.16-17) It shows how despite her children being grown she, as a mother, still views them as inexperienced and young. It exposes her motherly warmth and her caring nature for her children. However, She, the mother, can at times be and seem nonchalant and unsympathetic, when it comes to Bethany being in a wheelchair. “She was hardly surprised when one day I couldn’t get up. “We’ve all got something,” she said.” (ll. 27 - 28) The mother seems unable to really understand Bethany’s state of mind for she believes all people go through the same as and even worse than Bethany. This reveals the mothers brutal and extreme way of thinking and living. Such as how she does not believe in chemicals, which leads her to not cleaning the house or use a washing machine to clean the clothes. Even so she does not like the city and have a negative view on the fumes of cars. Her lifestyle gets more extreme with her unhealthy relation to medicine, which she also puts upon Bethany. ““Bethany. We’re all on pills nowadays. You’ll just have to get used to it.”” (l.24) She tries to normalize the amount of intake of pills she takes. As well as downplaying Bethany’s growing frustration, which she “fixes” later with agnus castus. 

On the contrary there is Aunt Joan. She, alongside a neighbor, Jude, at times takes care of Bethany for the mother. As the readers are introduced to Aunt Joan it is known that she is willing to accompany Bethany in the city. Overall, Aunt Joan is a very nice and cares very much for Bethany. Aunt Joan is unable to solve or help Bethany with her problem. Yet she shows the want to do so, “Yesterday, she’d hoovered my room thoroughly, in short, harsh movements, as if dust was my real problem and she could solve it” (ll. 77-78) by making dust the problem Aunt Joan feels for filled with joy for helping Bethany “fix” a problem. Despite having no clue what to do with the main problem. That being the wheelchair. It seems like Aunt Joan is overall worried for Bethany from how she makes sure Bethany remembers her pads to how she panics when Bethany struggles to take the jeans on. It shows how she cares for Bethany and wants to take care of her. It also reveals how Aunt Joan may view Bethany as a child or at least treat her as such, ““Moody this morning, isn’t she?” Joan said to my mother,” (l. 56) the way Aunt Joan refers to Bethany in third person while Bethany is still presence comes off as an adult talking about a child.  Which result in the two fighting often, ““Why?” Mum asked. “Were you fussing again?”” (l. 95), it reveals how Bethany and Aunt Joan tents to quarrel with one another. It may be since Aunt Joan simply wants to “help” Bethany by controlling her as a child which Bethany, as a grown woman, finds frustrating. 

Unlike Aunt Joan, Bethany views the aunt’s ways negatively, “Aunt Joan had hidden four air fresheners amidst the figurines, as if my room was now particularly prone to odour.” (ll. 66-67) despite the action clearly being a nice gesture Bethany views it negatively and burdensome. Since The events are being told from Bethany’s point of view. The reader can only understand her feelings and frustrations such as how Bethany clearly likes to be independent, and the wheelchair makes her unhappy for it does not give her the chance to be so. Yet she is unable to change it, so she chooses to depend on her mother and aunt to fix it for her. She tells the story in chronological order with bits of flashbacks. The author makes it known from the start that Bethany’s problem is not her being unable to walk yet the amount of self-hate she has developed for herself and others. “The herbalist said I needed to love myself more.” (l.29) the quotation shows how Bethany was advised to lover herself more even though she went to get her leg and back checked. The herbalist concluded that the roots of Bethany’s problems and slow recovery was the burning hate she has for herself. Her being unable to walk have roots way back to her drunken night. The narrative being Bethany the readers get little to no information about the night. Yet the reader can piece small information to conclude what may have happened. ““There is evidence of neurological damage on the lower spinal cord, perhaps sustained after trauma. Have you had some kind of accident?” he asked. “The notes mentioned there was extensive bruising on your lower back...” ” (l.115-117) alongside the information the specialist gives and the information the readers get with the broken stool, the drunken night with a man and the pain while drunk. The reader can conclude a man must have physically hurt or abused Bethany; therefore, she is unable to move her legs. The reader can take it a step further and assume this must have been an assault case. This reason being the mention of how she bleeds in the lower half, which also could be because of her period. However, the author gives one more hint at the end by mentioning “Jim’ll fix it”, which is an old British show known for its rape and assault cases behind the stage. With this traumatic experience it is more than reasonable as to why someone as Bethany is as negative as she is. It is also understanding why Bethany resents herself after such a night. “I’d boxed up the fragments” (l.121) Bethany refers to the night and herself as fragments. Broken pieces which she tries her best to patch together with the help of specialist, her mother and aunt.  However, as the story goes on Bethany realizes that the specialist, her mother, and aunt have equally as her no clue about what to do with her.  With the realization she chooses to become independent again and cuts off the skirt they chose for her. She chooses this time for herself the jeans. Therefore, the cut of the skirt, becomes a symbol of a new start as she becomes more independent and self-aware. This self-awareness makes her realize in the buss despite the problem not being solved she has other things to be thankful for and that life goes on.  The buss becomes a symbol of reality, where her mother will not be able to help, and she must take things to own matters. She must quit being stuck on the negative but see the positive. For reality keeps moving no matter if she likes it or not. Which the present Bethany may already know since the story is told in past tens which means the events that happens have past therefore it must be Bethany, who looks back on the events of the short story. 

Hence, the author indirectly shows the reader that Bethany is at a better place than she was when the events took place. By doings so the message conveyed is that no matter the obstacle or problem, it can always be fixed. To do so a person must first look in before looking out. First then the real recovery begins. You must deal with the scars and inner pain the trauma has left you with. By doing so a person will always be able to over some any obstacles.