The Man Who Wouldn't Get Up – David Lodge
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課程筆記
Story and Context
- David Lodge’s short story ‘The Man Who Wouldn’t Get Up’ is part of the×Stories of Ourselves Volume 3×collection.
- It is a satirical story that uses humour and irony to examine how society reacts when one person stops following the unwritten rules of daily life.
- The story was written in the winter of 1965/66 and later appeared in Lodge’s first short-story collection,×The Man Who Wouldn’t Get Up and Other Stories×.
- Lodge is known for campus novels and satirical works that poke fun at middle-class British life; this story focuses on the ‘small’ crises of ordinary people.
- The collection also includes stories such as ‘Tony Kytes, the Arch-Deceiver’ by Thomas Hardy and ‘Sale’ by Anita Desai.
Plot Summary: The Great Bed Strike
- The protagonist, Edward Loomis, wakes up one Sunday morning and decides he will not get out of bed.
- At first his wife, Mallie, thinks he is lazy or unwell, but as hours turn into days it becomes clear he has lost the motivation to participate in the ‘performance’ of life.
- Sunday is somewhat acceptable for staying in bed; the Monday crisis begins when he still refuses to move and social pressure mounts.
- Mallie worries about what the neighbours and Edward’s employers will think.
- A doctor is called but finds nothing physically wrong with Edward; the situation becomes a battle of wills between Edward’s passive resistance and the world’s demand that he be productive.
- The story explores the absurdity of how one small act of ‘doing nothing’ can completely disrupt the lives of everyone around the person.
Key Characters
- Edward Loomis is the protagonist: a passive rebel who does not shout or protest but simply remains horizontal.
- His motivation seems to be tiredness with the repetitive, boring nature of his middle-class life; by staying in bed he opts out of the ‘rat race’.
- Lodge presents Edward as calm and almost polite in his refusal, which makes the situation even more frustrating for the other characters.
- Mallie Loomis represents social conformity; she is Edward’s wife and is deeply concerned with appearances.
- Mallie moves through stages of confusion, anger, and embarrassment, viewing Edward’s behaviour as a personal attack on her and their lifestyle.
- She acts as the ‘voice of society’, constantly reminding Edward of his duties and what is ‘normal’.
Themes to Explore
- Passive resistance and rebellion: most literary rebels do something big and loud, but Edward does the opposite; the story asks whether doing nothing can be the ultimate form of protest.
- By refusing to get up, Edward challenges the entire structure of work, family, and social duty.
- The absurdity of modern life: Lodge uses satire to show how ridiculous daily routines can be, and how fragile social ‘rules’ are when someone stays in bed.
- Marriage and misunderstanding: the story highlights the gap between Edward and Mallie; they live together but do not truly understand each other’s internal lives.
- Mallie cannot see Edward’s choice as anything other than a problem to be ‘fixed’.
- The pressure of social expectations: much of the humour comes from how much people care about what others think; Mallie is more worried about the doctor’s opinion or the neighbours’ gossip than about Edward’s actual mental state.
The Writer’s Craft (AO3)
- Tone and humour: Lodge uses a deadpan tone, describing the absurd situation as if it were a serious medical or social crisis, which makes it funny for the reader.
- Structure: the story follows a chronological progression of time (Sunday, Monday, etc.), highlighting the growing tension as the work week begins and Edward’s refusal becomes more ‘serious’ in the eyes of society.
- Dialogue: conversations between Edward and Mallie show the breakdown in communication; Edward’s short, simple answers contrast with Mallie’s increasingly frantic and long-winded arguments.
- Symbolism of the bed: the bed is no longer just a place to sleep; it becomes a fortress or a private island where Edward is safe from the demands of the world.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not treat Edward as simply ‘lazy’; explore why he is staying in bed — it is a psychological and philosophical choice, not just a desire for more sleep.
- Do not ignore Mallie; she is crucial because she shows us the world’s reaction to his rebellion, and your essay should discuss their relationship.
- Do not forget the humour; this is a funny story, and a very dark, depressing essay misses Lodge’s satirical intent. Mention the irony and the absurdity.
Exam Tip: Paper 1 (Section B)
- Under the 2028 syllabus you need whole-text knowledge, so be ready to discuss how the story starts, develops, and ends.
- For a question like ‘Explore how Lodge makes Edward’s behaviour so entertaining’, you could discuss the funny contrast between Edward’s calmness and Mallie’s panic (AO2).
- You could analyse the specific words Lodge uses to describe the bed and the room (AO3).
- You could give your informed personal response (AO4) on whether you find Edward’s choice relatable or selfish.
Key Takeaway
- ‘The Man Who Wouldn’t Get Up’ is a satirical look at a man who decides to opt out of society.
- Use your analysis of character and humour to show the examiners that you understand the deeper meanings behind Edward’s ‘stay-in-bed strike’.
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練習題
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1.In David Lodge's 'The Man Who Wouldn't Get Up', on which day of the week does Edward Loomis first refuse to get out of bed?
Easy- AMonday
- BSaturday
- CSunday
- DWednesday
2.In David Lodge's 'The Man Who Wouldn't Get Up', why does the situation become a crisis on Monday?
Easy- AEdward falls physically ill and cannot move
- BEdward's continued refusal to get up means he is not going to work, so social pressure and concern about employers and neighbours begin
- CMallie decides to leave the house permanently
- DThe doctor orders Edward to be taken to hospital
3.In David Lodge's 'The Man Who Wouldn't Get Up', what does the doctor conclude about Edward's condition?
Medium- AEdward has a serious physical illness
- BEdward is pretending to be ill to avoid Mallie
- CThe doctor can find nothing physically wrong with Edward
- DEdward needs immediate surgery
4.In David Lodge's 'The Man Who Wouldn't Get Up', which description best fits Edward Loomis as Lodge presents him?
Medium- AAn angry rebel who shouts and protests loudly
- BA lazy man who simply wants more sleep
- CA calm, almost polite passive rebel who quietly refuses to take part
- DA confused old man who has forgotten how to get up
5.In David Lodge's 'The Man Who Wouldn't Get Up', what does Mallie Loomis chiefly represent?
Medium- AThe medical profession's view of Edward
- BSocial conformity and the 'voice of society'
- CEdward's own rebellious instincts
- DThe freedom of doing nothing
6.In David Lodge's 'The Man Who Wouldn't Get Up', which statement best describes the central conflict?
Medium- AA quarrel between Edward and a neighbour over noise
- BA fight between Edward and Mallie over money
- CA conflict between a man who wants to do nothing and a society that demands he does something
- DA disagreement between the doctor and the vicar about Edward's treatment
7.In David Lodge's 'The Man Who Wouldn't Get Up', what does the bed come to symbolise?
Medium- AA prison from which Edward cannot escape
- BA fortress or private island where Edward is safe from the world's demands
- CThe failure of modern medicine
- DMallie's control over her husband
8.In David Lodge's 'The Man Who Wouldn't Get Up', Lodge's 'deadpan' tone works mainly by:
Hard- Adescribing the absurd situation as if it were a serious medical or social crisis, which makes it funny
- Busing exaggerated jokes and puns on every page
- Cwriting in a sad, tragic register throughout
- Dletting Edward explain his reasons in long speeches
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