Careful, He Might Hear You

A detailed Summary of Careful, He Might Hear You

Careful He Might Hear You, by Sumner Locke Elliot, is a complicated novel, revolving around the story of a six year old boy named PS and his search for personal identity amidst the conflicts of his closest relatives. The narration of these conflicts, as well as the history behind their origins, forms the basis of the novel, and while the different types of relationships between the characters are not the main focus of the novel, the author links them with each of the characters' sense of identity and their personal desires. Careful He Might Hear You is a book about people finding their true identities, and the truth or imbalance of the relationships that result from this. Through comparison and contrast, Sumner Locke Elliot highlights the flaws in each of the relationships presented, and the ramifications these have on the individuals involved; their present lives and their probable futures.

The first significant relationship presented in the novel is that between PS and his Aunt Lila and Uncle George. PS sees himself solely as Lila and George's child and this perception that he has on himself directly influences the nature of his relationship with them. Being a six year old child yet to develop his own personal sense of ident

Vanessa was not in love with Logan as he was but Logan as he could be; sensitive, understanding man aware of her inner turmoils, and she fails to realise that her inner conflicts- and the outward appearance of them- are affecting her relationship with Logan. The personal uncertainty she has of herself deprives her of the sincerity needed to make their relationship work, and the scruples that she has been taught lead her to except those same scruples in other people. Vanessa's relationship with Logan ultimately dissolved because she is unable to accept him for who he really is.

This failure of acceptance becomes a characteristic trait in all the relationships Vanessa has with other people in the future. Acceptance is a vital part of any relationship and where it is important to inspire and encourage the other's good points, Vanessa did not. Her motivation was one of conformity and dominance- excepting Logan (and later PS) to be what she wanted them to be- and expecting them to satisfy her own needs without really knowing what they actually were. Perhaps with PS, Vanessa thought she would succeed where she had failed with Logan- perhaps his child would fill the gap inside her that she always thought to be Logan's fault- and Vanessa embarks on her quest to possess PS without realising that she hasn't changed. Vanessa still has the desire to conform and dominate, and unseeingly does to the young PS what her father did to her as a child.

Some common words found in the essay are:
George George, Locke Elliot, Lila PS's, Logan Sinden, Logan Logan, PS Vanessa, Lila PS, Lila Vanessa, Lila George, PS Vanessa's, relationship logan, sumner locke, nature relationship, sumner locke elliot, locke elliot, careful hear, sense identity, ps's emerging sense, lila's influence, directly related, lila offered, sincerity relationship, vanessa's relationship logan,

Approximate Word count = 1788
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English