Sleeping

This study guide will help you analyze the short story “Sleeping” (2003) by Katharine Weber. You can also find a summary of the text, as well as inspiration for interpreting it and putting it into perspective.

Katharine Weber (b. 1955) is an American writer. She used to teach fiction and nonfiction writing at Yale University and other colleges. Weber is the author of several award-winning novels, including True Confections and Still Life with Monkey.

Extract

Here, you can read an extract from our study guide:

Another flashback is introduced when Harriet recalls being approached by Mr. Winter and asked to babysit: “She had never seen him before, and it was flattering that he took her for capable, as if just being a girl her age automatically qualified her as a baby-sitter” (ll. 24-25).

The narrative finishes with a climax, when Harriet realizes the truth about the Winters:

When they reached her house, he said, My wife. He hesitated, then he said, You understand, don’t you? and Harriet answered Yes without looking at him or being sure what they were talking about although she did really know what he was telling her… (ll. 30-33)

The story never explains what really happened, but readers can draw their own conclusions. For instance, the several foreshadowing elements and the climactic ending suggest that Charlie is dead, and the Winters have tried to find a coping mechanism to deal with the loss of their baby.