Introduction

“The Hoarder” is a short story by American author Bradford Morrow. It was first published in the 1989 collection The Collected Stories of Bradford Morrow and has since been reprinted in numerous anthologies. The story is about a young boy named Tom who is obsessed with collecting things. His obsession begins with innocuous objects, such as seashells and bird’s nests, but it soon escalates to include more sinister items, such as human hair and teeth.

Tom’s hoarding behavior is a manifestation of his deep-seated insecurities and fears. He feels like he doesn’t belong anywhere, and he believes that the more things he owns, the more secure he will be. However, his hoarding ultimately leads to his isolation and alienation from others.

Analysis

The story can be analyzed on a number of different levels. On one level, it is a simple coming-of-age story about a boy who is trying to find his place in the world. However, the story can also be read as a metaphor for addiction, obsession, and the dangers of materialism.

Tom’s hoarding behavior is clearly addictive. He is constantly searching for new things to collect, and he experiences a powerful sense of euphoria when he acquires a new item. However, his euphoria is always short-lived, and he soon begins to crave his next fix.

Tom’s hoarding is also obsessive. He is consumed by his desire to collect things, and he is willing to sacrifice everything else in his life for it. He neglects his relationships, his schoolwork, and even his own health in order to pursue his obsession.

Finally, Tom’s hoarding is a reflection of his deep-seated materialism. He believes that the more things he owns, the more valuable he is as a person. However, his materialism ultimately leads to his isolation and alienation from others.

Themes

The story explores a number of important themes, including:

• Obsession: Tom’s hoarding behavior is a manifestation of his deep-seated obsession with collecting things. His obsession consumes him and leads to his isolation and alienation from others.
• Materialism: Tom believes that the more things he owns, the more valuable he is as a person. However, his materialism ultimately leads to his downfall.
• Isolation and alienation: Tom’s hoarding behavior leads him to isolate himself from others. He becomes increasingly withdrawn and secretive, and he eventually alienates himself from everyone he knows.
• Coming of age: The story is also a coming-of-age story about a boy who is trying to find his place in the world. Through his hoarding behavior, Tom learns about himself and his own limitations.

Conclusion

“The Hoarder” is a powerful and disturbing story about the dangers of obsession, materialism, and isolation. It is a cautionary tale about the importance of finding balance and moderation in life.

Additional Analysis

The story can also be read as a commentary on the American Dream. Tom’s belief that the more things he owns, the more valuable he is as a person, is a reflection of the American Dream’s emphasis on materialism and consumerism. However, the story also shows that the American Dream can be a mirage, and that the pursuit of material possessions can lead to emptiness and despair.

The story can also be read as a metaphor for the human condition. Tom’s hoarding behavior is a way for him to cope with his insecurities and fears. He believes that the more things he owns, the more secure he will be. However, the story shows that our insecurities and fears cannot be resolved through material possessions.