They appeared to me denizens of a brilliant existence.( The Bass, the river, and Sheila Mant)
Well, it sounds like those denizens must have been rocking the bass! Maybe Sheila Mant is the queen of the river, reigning over a school of groovy fish. Talk about a brilliant existence!
"The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" is a short story written by W.D. Wetherell. It tells the story of a young boy who is torn between his love for fishing and his infatuation with a girl named Sheila Mant.
Here is a step-by-step summary of the story:
1. The story begins with the protagonist, the young teenage boy, describing his love for fishing and his desire to catch a big bass that resides in the river near his house.
2. One day, the boy's family attends a Fourth of July party, where he meets Sheila Mant, a beautiful and popular girl whom he is instantly attracted to.
3. The boy manages to strike up a conversation with Sheila and discovers that she is interested in music. Wanting to impress her, he lies about his musical abilities and claims to play the bass.
4. As the summer progresses, the boy manages to win Sheila's attention and starts going on dates with her. However, he is constantly worried about Sheila's perception of him and fears that his love for fishing will make him seem boring.
5. One evening, the boy has the opportunity to take Sheila on a special date. He plans to take her to a concert by a renowned jazz bass player, but on the way, he realizes that he can't bring his fishing gear. He is torn between his desire to impress Sheila with the concert and his longing to catch the bass.
6. Eventually, the boy decides to bring his fishing gear with him, hoping to catch the bass before the concert. He believes that he can impress Sheila even more if he presents her with a real bass, rather than just taking her to a concert.
7. The boy manages to hook the bass and has a thrilling experience trying to reel it in. However, his fishing adventure causes Sheila to become distracted and bored, eventually asking to be taken home before the concert begins.
8. As the story concludes, the boy reflects on his choices and realizes that his love for fishing made him miss out on an opportunity with Sheila. He understands that he may have lost Sheila's interest, but he also recognizes that the bass was his true passion.
In summary, "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" explores themes of teenage love, the conflict between personal passions and societal expectations, and the importance of being true to oneself.
The phrase "They appeared to me denizens of a brilliant existence" is a line from the short story "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W.D. Wetherell. In this story, the narrator describes his perspective of the bass and Sheila Mant.
To understand the meaning of this line, it is important to consider the context of the story. In "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant," the narrator is a teenage boy who loves fishing. He has a crush on Sheila Mant, a girl who is more interested in socializing and partying. The denizens of a brilliant existence describe the bass and Sheila Mant as beings living a vibrant and fascinating life.
When the narrator uses the phrase "They appeared to me denizens of a brilliant existence," he is expressing his admiration and fascination for both the bass and Sheila Mant. He sees both of them as living extraordinary lives, encompassing aspects such as grace, beauty, and excitement.
Overall, this phrase reflects the narrator's perspective and his idealized perception of the bass and Sheila Mant, as he perceives both of them as beings inhabiting a dazzling and captivating existence.