As humans, we often gather an excess of things around us, fretfully thinking, “What if we need it, but don’t have it?” This thought stems from our desire for control and, though control can be good, this particular thought and its subsequent gathering of excess goods can hinder enjoyment of life.
Lucretia P. Hale contemplates this particular tendency in her short story “The Peterkins’ Summer Journey,” using comedy to show that too many unnecessary things sabotage life’s journeys. Hale follows the Peterkins as they prepare for a journey and attempt pack almost everything and the kitchen sink.
