Replacements (short story)
Encyclopedia
"Replacements" is a short story
written by Lisa Tuttle
. It features a husband's insecurities surfacing while a wife's independence strengthens as she claims a vampire pet for her very own.
Once home, he finds that Jenny brought one of the "creatures" with her. Stuart shows strong dislike towards the creature and wants Jenny to get rid of it. The two argue about what to do with Jenny's new "pet" but never come to a resolution. The creature begins taking up more of Jenny's time and attention. She also does abnormal activities with the creature (letting it drink blood from her). As this progresses, Stuart is regarded less and less and becomes very distanced from Jenny. Eventually, Jenny states that she is going to keep it whether Stuart likes it or not. Stuart then decides that he cannot live with the creature and the woman Jenny has become, and he moves out.
He begins to notice these creatures more and more. The women at work, women on the streets - everyone seemed to have one of these creatures. One evening while on his way home from work, he notices a woman sitting across from him with a gold chain that brings back memories. After exiting the train at the same stop as the woman, he strives to come up with something to say, but he sees the chain linked to one of the "pets" he despises and immediately lets her walk away. He absentmindedly walks to his old house where he sees the creature longing to be outside and he longing to be in.
. They include domesticity, the uncanny, and perversity - all of which can be found in this story and explained in the book by Alan Lloyd-Smith, American Gothic Fiction. Tuttle uses these gothic elements to show how a marital relationship changes drastically by the introduction of a new element.
, fantasy
and horror stories
genres. She often includes aspects of feminism
and specifically feminist science fiction
in her writing. Her award-winning short stories often feature strong-willed women (much like Tuttle herself) questioning their lives, identities and gender issues with a probing, insightful reverence. David Barrett, City Limits (UK) once said of Tuttle’s stories, "Her stories are emotionally uncomfortable… they’re powerful, they’re brilliant, they hurt… and they’re very special. They not only make you think, they make you feel…"
Tuttle's feminist sci-fi short story features a husband's insecurities surfacing while a wife's independence strengthens as she claims a vampire pet for her very own. Interestingly enough, this story of replacing a husband was written just a few short months after the birth of Tuttle's daughter.
In regards to the "Replacements", Lisa Tuttle
states in an interview with M. M. Hall from Fantastic Metropolis:
"My first post-natal story to deal with in any way with motherhood was “Replacements”, written when my daughter was only seven months old. Make of that what you will…".
and Terri Windling
(1993)
included Replacements in the anthology and this short story was also included in
American Gothic Tales
(edited by Joyce Carol Oates
).
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
written by Lisa Tuttle
Lisa Tuttle
Lisa Tuttle is an American-born science fiction, fantasy, and horror author. She has published over a dozen novels, five short story collections, and several non-fiction titles, including a reference book on feminism. She has also edited several anthologies and reviewed books for various...
. It features a husband's insecurities surfacing while a wife's independence strengthens as she claims a vampire pet for her very own.
Summary
As Stuart commences his walk to work, he notices an animal "about the size of a cat, naked looking, with leathery, hairless skin and thin, spiky limbs that seemed to frail to support the bulbous, ill-proportioned body." Disgusted and horrified by the appearance of this animal, he crushes it with his foot. Immediately he's remorseful and his first instinct is to call his wife Jenny. Since he isn't sure what her reaction will be, he waits to call her at the normal time in the afternoon. She isn't able to take his call and doesn't return the call either. Stuart calls again, only to find that she has left work early. This, being unlike her, worries Stuart and he returns home as soon as possible.Once home, he finds that Jenny brought one of the "creatures" with her. Stuart shows strong dislike towards the creature and wants Jenny to get rid of it. The two argue about what to do with Jenny's new "pet" but never come to a resolution. The creature begins taking up more of Jenny's time and attention. She also does abnormal activities with the creature (letting it drink blood from her). As this progresses, Stuart is regarded less and less and becomes very distanced from Jenny. Eventually, Jenny states that she is going to keep it whether Stuart likes it or not. Stuart then decides that he cannot live with the creature and the woman Jenny has become, and he moves out.
He begins to notice these creatures more and more. The women at work, women on the streets - everyone seemed to have one of these creatures. One evening while on his way home from work, he notices a woman sitting across from him with a gold chain that brings back memories. After exiting the train at the same stop as the woman, he strives to come up with something to say, but he sees the chain linked to one of the "pets" he despises and immediately lets her walk away. He absentmindedly walks to his old house where he sees the creature longing to be outside and he longing to be in.
Gothic elements
Gothic elements are evident in this short storyShort story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
. They include domesticity, the uncanny, and perversity - all of which can be found in this story and explained in the book by Alan Lloyd-Smith, American Gothic Fiction. Tuttle uses these gothic elements to show how a marital relationship changes drastically by the introduction of a new element.
About the author
Tuttle is known for her work in the science fictionScience fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
and horror stories
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
genres. She often includes aspects of feminism
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
and specifically feminist science fiction
Feminist science fiction
Feminist science fiction is a sub-genre of science fiction which tends to deal with women's roles in society. Feminist science fiction poses questions about social issues such as how society constructs gender roles, the role reproduction plays in defining gender and the unequal political and...
in her writing. Her award-winning short stories often feature strong-willed women (much like Tuttle herself) questioning their lives, identities and gender issues with a probing, insightful reverence. David Barrett, City Limits (UK) once said of Tuttle’s stories, "Her stories are emotionally uncomfortable… they’re powerful, they’re brilliant, they hurt… and they’re very special. They not only make you think, they make you feel…"
Tuttle's feminist sci-fi short story features a husband's insecurities surfacing while a wife's independence strengthens as she claims a vampire pet for her very own. Interestingly enough, this story of replacing a husband was written just a few short months after the birth of Tuttle's daughter.
In regards to the "Replacements", Lisa Tuttle
Lisa Tuttle
Lisa Tuttle is an American-born science fiction, fantasy, and horror author. She has published over a dozen novels, five short story collections, and several non-fiction titles, including a reference book on feminism. She has also edited several anthologies and reviewed books for various...
states in an interview with M. M. Hall from Fantastic Metropolis:
"My first post-natal story to deal with in any way with motherhood was “Replacements”, written when my daughter was only seven months old. Make of that what you will…".
Anthologies
"The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror" edited by Ellen DatlowEllen Datlow
Ellen Datlow is an American science fiction, fantasy, and horror editor and anthologist.-Biography:Datlow was the fiction editor of Omni magazine and Omni Online from 1981 through 1998, and edited the ten associated Omni anthologies...
and Terri Windling
Terri Windling
Terri Windling is an American editor, artist, essayist, and the author of books for both children and adults. Windling has won nine World Fantasy Awards, the Mythopoeic Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and her collection The Armless Maiden appeared on the short-list for the James Tiptree, Jr. Award...
(1993)
included Replacements in the anthology and this short story was also included in
American Gothic Tales
American Gothic Tales
American Gothic Tales - is an anthology of "gothic" American short fiction. Edited and with an Introduction by Joyce Carol Oates, it was published by Plume in 1996...
(edited by Joyce Carol Oates
Joyce Carol Oates
Joyce Carol Oates is an American author. Oates published her first book in 1963 and has since published over fifty novels, as well as many volumes of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction...
).