"William and Mary" is a

short story A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest ...

Roald Dahl Roald Dahl (13 September 1916 – 23 November 1990) was a British novelist, short-story writer, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter ace of Norwegian descent. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. Dahl has be ...

, originally published in 1959 and included in his 1960 collection ''

Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss may refer to: Books * ''Kiss Kiss'' (book), a collection of short stories by Roald Dahl Music * Kiss Kiss (band), an American indie rock band * "Kiss Kiss" (Chris Brown song) * "Kiss Kiss" (Kim Hyun-joong song) * "Kiss Kiss" (Ladies' ...

''. It was later adapted into episodes of '' Way Out'' and '' Tales of the Unexpected''.

Plot summary

Mary Pearl receives a note from her recently deceased husband, William, a man given to emotional abuse due to his controlling nature. The letter tells how Landy, a doctor, approached William, about his

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, six weeks before William's death. He suggested William undertake a procedure, which he explains in great detail. His

brain A brain is an organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. It is located in the head, usually close to the sensory organs for senses such as vision. It is the most complex organ in a v ...

would be transplanted from his body after death, and attached to an

artificial heart An artificial heart is a device that replaces the heart. Artificial hearts are typically used to bridge the time to heart transplantation, or to permanently replace the heart in the case that a heart transplant (from a deceased human or, experi ...

. The brain would be bathing in a

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. One of his eyes could also be retained, as the optic nerve is essentially an extension of the brain. Although the doctor is uncertain whether the brain would regain consciousness, he remains hopeful. William initially reacted violently to this suggestion, but by the end of their discussion has warmed to the idea. He is initially concerned with the idea of

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, believing that as a brain alone he may be in terrible trauma, wishing for the use of his body. However, he writes, he eventually embraced the idea, being very fond of his brain and liking the suggestion that it could live on. He adds that by the time she reads the letter, the procedure should have been undertaken a week earlier, and suggests she contact Landy. She reflects on his many instances of reproach toward her behavior and is outraged that he might have undergone such a "perverse" operation. Mary has been rebelling against her husband's restrictions after his death: she has bought a television and is smoking, both actions William had disapproved of in flashback. However she ultimately makes the decision to contact Landy. The procedure has gone as well as could be expected, and William had regained consciousness within two days. His connected eye also appears to be functioning properly. Mary finds the previously dominating William to be attractive in his helplessness and wishes to take him back home, asserting right of ownership over her husband's "remains". Landy, not at all expecting such a reaction, tells her she should stick to being a

widow A widow (female) or widower (male) is a person whose spouse has Death, died. Terminology The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed ''widowhood''. An archaic term for a widow is "relict," literally "someone left over". This word ...

, and finds her newfound happiness revolting. As the story closes, William sees Mary smoking, and is infuriated by it, his eye clearly registering a look of fury. Mary departs, but not before blowing the cigarette smoke in William's eye.

Analysis

Mary's wish to bring William home with her can be interpreted as a perverse desire for revenge against her controlling husband by flaunting her independence before his now helpless state.Roald Dahl Narrative analysis
Haegenburgh, E. 2015.

References

{{Kiss Kiss stories Short stories by Roald Dahl 1960 short stories Brain transplantation in fiction Science fiction short stories Horror short stories