A Persistence of Song Summary and Analysis

In "A Persistence of Song," Goolrick recognizes that even when bad things happen in a life, good things continue to happen as well. He knows that his life has had positive moments, and that, at one time, he adored his parents. He recognizes his own want and need for love and companionship, and he knows he feels the loss of his parents. Goolrick also understands that all people want to be what they are not, that they want to be someone else.

He points out that his mother was a kind woman and that she did care for him, as much as she could. He also understands that his father was not a monster. But on that night, both his mother and his father took into themselves a fear, a hatred, and a shame that...