Analysis

Structure

The short story “Getting Somewhere” by Susan Isaacs has a non-chronological structure. The story begins in the present and introduces Karen, the main character:

The first house the real estate agent wanted to show us was on Key Biscayne, over the Causeway from Miami, but Jeffrey, my husband, said he didn’t want to see it because the Key only had a public golf course, but then he said all right, he’d look at Paraíso − a house with a name! Was it gorgeous? At first glance his jaw dropped so low I had to give him the elbow before Marilyn, the agent who wore Armani, could see. (ll. 1-5)

The introduction offers hints about Karen’s social situation, suggesting that Karen and her husband are quite wealthy, as they are looking to buy a luxurious house. 

A flashback reveals events that took place fifteen years ago, in 2002. In the flashback, Karen recalls witnessing a group of Haitian refugees emerging from the water and stopping traffic as they are running to find shelter in the US. Initially, Karen acts like a passive witness of what is happening, but then decides to take action and help some refugees. 

The tension in the story builds as Karen tries to drive the refugees to safety to a Haitian neighborhood in the city. There, Karen sees a Haitian couple and stops the car, hoping they can help the refugees. Before Karen can get her wallet to give the refugees some money, they are gone: 

Just as I reached across the floor of the car to where Miriam had been sitting, to get my handbag, and I was opening it to get my wallet, I realized all five were already gone. (ll. 101-103) 

This can be considered an anti-climax as the refugees suddenly disappear before Karen can say goodbye to them or know where they are going. This leaves Karen sad. 

The story’s ending shows an emotional Karen who feels nostalgic whenever she thinks about the events that took place fifteen years ago: “I think of them, the Causeway people and the good people, a lot. More than you’d believe. Sometimes I smile. Sometimes my eyes fill up. Can you believe it’s been fifteen years?” (ll. 126-127). This shows that the event has had a great impact on her. 

While we know that Karen has done well for herself and has now bought a luxurious house, we do not know if the Haitian refugees managed to build better lives for themselves in the US.

Characterization of Karen

Karen is the main character. Several clues give readers the impression that Karen belongs to the American upper class. For example, the opening scene of the story presents Karen and her husband, Jeffrey, looking at an incredibly expensive and luxurious home:

The first house the real estate agent wanted to show us was on Key Biscayne, over the Causeway from Miami, but Jeffrey, my husband, said he didn’t want to see it because the Key only had a public golf course, but then he said all right, he’d look at Paraíso − a house with a name! Was it gorgeous? At first glance his jaw...