Struggles of Isolation in Vampires of the Lemon Grove Kyle Huang 10th Grade

Struggles of Isolation in Vampires of the Lemon Grove

The short stories by Karen Russell in Vampires in the Lemon Grove share many intertwining aspects. While at first glance, the stories seem to have no relation apart from the quirky thriller type writing, upon further examination, one can find similarities in the protagonists that Karen Russell creates. Although each character has unique personalities, Clyde and Kitsune from “Vampires in the Lemon Grove” and “Reeling for the Empire” have overlapping character traits. Specifically, they are best classified as “outsiders,” or those who do not fit into the societal norm. Despite the fact that they are both “outsiders,” Clyde’s isolation leads to despair, while Kitsune’s self-hatred frees her to become her true self.

Although Clyde co-exists and is married to his eternal wife Magreb, he still feels an acute sense of loneliness. Before Clyde meets his vampire wife, he believes that there will never be another vampire like him, so he is destined to live alone forever. When he first meets Magreb, Clyde thinks he may have cured his loneliness, but after spending hundreds of years with her, Clyde comes to the conclusion that their marriage stems not so much from love but as a “...