Good “Following The Notes” By Pia Z. Ehrhardt Essay Example

In the short story, “Following the Notes” by Pia Z. Ehrhardt, it is one built upon relationships; that of relationship between the main character, Liddie and her father, and the one between Liddie and her boyfriend, Sherman. Throughout the story the reader is exposed to a very strained relationship between Liddie and her father. There is a profound disconnect and disdain that exists between them. Liddle shows little interest in her father even though he tries unsuccessfully to gain her attention. On the other hand, Liddie’s relationship with Sherman is the exact opposite. She hangs on his every word and is very much into him. After a sexual encounter, she contacts him later in the day, only to hear the stifled giggles of a female in the background. Sherman claims it’s his sister, but Liddie realizes he is cheating on her.
This sets the stage for a shift to take place later in the story when Liddie suddenly has a change of heart about her father. This is the biggest revision that Ehrhardt makes to the story. The author wants to make things right between Liddie and her father. When Liddie learns of Sherman’s unfaithfulness, she realizes that her father is the only man she can count on to be there for her. He too has suffered hurt like she has. Ehrhardt describes, “my father looked sad, dumped” (Shapard & Thomas) which becomes an identifier for Liddie with her father and she suddenly feels sorry for him. Her attitude towards her father changes because she understands that what might have seemed a thorn in her side before was now providing to her the greatest comfort. Liddie’s father was the only person who had proven loyal to her. The author wants the reader to understand this point; that not all relationships will prove loyal and true, but the one between a father and daughter cannot be broken.

Work Cited

Shapard, Robert, & Thomas, J. New Sudden Fiction: Short-Short Stories from America and Beyond. London: W. W. Norton & Company, 2007. Print.