Mr. Lytle

     I believe the story begins and ends with details about the coffin for different reasons. It shows how the characters met each other first and foremost.  Another reason is because it acts as a time warp to express to the reader the beginning, substance, and ending of a relationship. As I was reading, the reading was guiding me to maybe think that, the coffin symbolizes relationships in ones life. A person has their life (as Sullivan had his), then one day you meet someone (as he met Mr. Lytle), and then there's a completely new entity in one's life (this new product which can be symbolized by the coffin). The coffin needs effort, skill, and time to create. Similarly relationships need the same, there is a certain finesse one needs to keep their relationships going and growing in their life. I believe this also symbolizes what this essay is trying to say about art, the making of art, and the writing life. Art in general is a whimsical yet demanding object. An artist's mind is free and there could be no boundaries or definitions to art. Likewise, an artist needs to put in the time and skill into creating the art and sharpening their metaphorical artist's pencil. 

     In response to the character of Mr. Lytle- Mr. Lytle comes across as a bit needy and a bit funny (maybe just to me). He is this artist with a brilliant mind and expansive experience in life. The elderly in general demand attention and they try to hide it behind simple things (such as, "Fix my t.v. it's not working!" or "I know best so I will tell you what to do..."). I believe Mr. Lytle is no different than this. He enjoys to 'bother' Sullivan just for some attention. Additionally, he is an artist as we have stated. Artists' vastly need approval towards their work just to feel validated. Perhaps Mr. Lytle is vying for validation in this elderly, usually,  ignored state. In regards to Mr. Lytle's fondling and slight obsession with Sullivan's privates, there are two ways I read this. The first being that Mr. Lytle is and always had been interested in men sexually but he was married and did not act upon those desires. The second thought I have is that he misses his own libido and sexuality. He tells Sullivan (in regards to genitalia) "I merely wanted to touch it a little. You see, I find it the most interesting part of the body.". Maybe Mr. Lytle misses his own once spry body and his symbolic 'manhood'.