Themes
Indhold
Avoidance
One of the main themes explored by Tim Parks in the short story “Bedtimes” is the theme of avoidance. The theme is suggested by the title, which hints that Thomas and Mary do not share the same bedtime.
The narrative hints at the possibility of adultery, which Thomas and Mary refuse to address. Instead, they constantly avoid each other and find excuses to not spend time together. For example, they deliberately choose to go to bed at different hours, because they do not want to talk to each other: “If he is going to work all night, I may as well go to bed, Mary decides, and goes upstairs without a word. Thomas joins ...
