Brent has a Ph.D. in American culture, specializing in film studies, from the University of Michigan. She is a freelance writer and teaches courses in the history of American cinema. In the following essay, Brent discusses identity, introspection, self-improvement, and what's important in life, as presented in Brown's short story.

In Jason Brown's "Animal Stories," Jamie, the narrator, faced with the approaching death of his mother from a brain tumor, becomes introspective, attempting to assess and define who he is and what's important in life. Jamie explains very briefly how he came to be a person who does not have a clear sense of self and who makes no effort to improve his life. He states that, "I was born with serious intent and not without means, but somewhere along the line I failed to acquire an adequate degree of clarity." In other words, he lacks...