Baggage

Everyone carries baggage with them. There are things that we cannot let go of and just take them with us, whether physically or mentally. There are also those things we carry with us but we wish we could leave behind. Those memories that we wish we could forget but, thinking about it, helped shape the person we are. Perry is the prime example of what I am saying. He carries baggage, literally, but more than what he physically carries, is the meaning behind every single object that weighs on him.

In Mexico, Dick and Perry run out of money and want to go back to the United States. This is the part when the luggage comes into play. Dick doesn't really carry memories with him but Perry does. He has a bag filled with things that are meaningful to him. Now, as the result of not being able to take everything with him, Perry must choose to let go of some of his material possessions. This is easy. Give it away and that is it. The thing is, Perry's objects are more than just clusters of atoms coming together to make something, each of these objects means something.

First there is the book his dad made that details many things about Perry's life with his father. His father was a bit hard on him but they cared for each other dearly. Perry had broken his dads promises in the end and was leaving him to the side. This kind of shows an inconsistency in Perry's attitude toward his resolutions. His mother let him down when she became a drunk and whether he realizes it or not, the fact that he does not drink is a psychological demonstration of how he was affected by it. He is fearful the drink will turn him into that which made him go through so much.

The letter from his sister was very interesting. She seems to lead a normal life and if anything, the only thing the letter seems to boast about are the children. When she says: "IT IS NO SHAME TO JAVE A DIRTY FACE- THE SHAME COMES WHEN YOU KEEP IT DIRTY." I found it interesting how it is all capital letters. She is highlighting the point that Perry might have done his wrongs but if he keeps doing it, that is when it is really wrong. throughout the letter his sister continues to capitalize certain words like : respect, common decency life, and living. She seems to want Perry to follow in her path and urges him to go to their father. 

Perrys baggage makes him who he is. this is why it is so important to him to pick the right pieces. Yet, how can one simply pick out certain memories from a whole?