Popular Culture Review Vol. 1, December 1989 | Page 33
The depth of isolation that Mrs. Caliban experiences in her
marriage is demonstrated by her husband’s total oblivion towards
the fact that there is a huge, green animal living in his guest
bedroom. Fred Caliban’s only reaction to his wife’s strange new
habit of buying bags of avocados (Larry’s favorite food) is to
chastise her for spending so much money on the fruit.
The story builds around Mrs. Caliban’s gradual entrance back
into the “real” world through her relationship with Larry. She had
been living in a numb trance prior to his arrival, unwilling to take
an active part in the world around her. Before Larry appeared in her
kitchen, Dorothy’s existence was limited to shopping, cooking for
her husband and his occasional clients, and a solitary exercise
program. She had no desire to get a job or involve herself in
community activities. She couldn’t even muster the nerve to
confront her husband about his various affairs with other women.
But when L any enters her life, Dorothy Caliban is trans
formed. The alien creature provides the much-needed purpose that
has been absent for too long in her life.
Unfortunately the society in which Mrs. Caliban lives does not
allow such a relationship to exist for long. Eventually the lovers are
revealed. Larry is forced to kill several humans in self-defense, and
soon he is being sought by the authorities. It becomes urgent for
Dorothy to get Larry to the coast so that he may escape his pursuers.
As she drives him out o f town, however, they are spotted by
Dorothy’s husband and his latest concubine on the local freeway.
A car chase results in an accident which kills Fred and his lover. In
a panic, Larry jumps from Dorothy’s car and the two quickly
resolve to meet at their favorite beach in the near future.
When the chaos of her husband’s death and funeral subsides,
Dorothy makes regular trips to the beach, anxiously waiting for her
lover. But L any never returns.
Mrs. Caliban presents yet another alteration o f the legends.
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