"Dissipate the Past"

The story represents a man who is coming to terms with the self-created tragedy of his life. Charles Wales is a man who has loved, had great material gain, lost it all and is now attempting to rebuild what is left in his life. The main purpose of his trip back to Paris is to regain custody of his daughter Honoria. In the process he is forced to confront the demons of his past mistakes, and formally say good-bye to a life he once had. In the end he finds that he, despite what everyone around him thinks, is not the man represented by past mistakes. He is a man of character who wants to do the right thing for his child and dead wife Helen.

In the early part of the story Charlie begins his moments of many truths. He returns to old stomping grounds and is looking for familiar faces. What he finds is, not only is he not the same man, but Paris is no longer the same place for him. Charlie enjoyed the clout of being perceived as a wealthy man in Paris and reminisces fondly of some the good old times. Which may mean that he may not regret the past completely or that he liked the free spirited person he once was. Each place Charlie visits, he finds the people and the life they are living disgust him. Charlie finds he no longer feels comfortable in bars and the surroundings he once called home. He finds himself an outsider looking in. Charlie comments to himself that he ruined the beauty of Paris for himself. He spent two years in Paris and never appreciated one minute. He attempts to take in Paris with sober eyes and somber spirit. This is a self-realization of himself. He wasted every minute in such a culturally rich and beautifully historic city. He understands the impact of his lifestyle lead to his current life. What he held so dear in the past, in the end meant nothing and he had nothing to show for it. In the process he lost his wife, his daughter and himself in this city.

Charlie is fully aware of Marion’s dislike for him. Charlie recognizes the need to take Marion’s verbal lashings about his past to achieve the ultimate goal of getting custody of his child back. During every confrontation Charlie cannot dispute the truth of Marion’s comments except for being responsible for the death of Helen. Marion cannot accept the death of her sister and needs to blame Charlie. It is easier for her to make Charlie the villain, than to accept that her sister had a part in the breakdown of the marriage, or that she simply died from a bad heart.

Honoria is the only character that holds no resentment for Charlie. She is just a small child so in love with her father. He sees in her the man he is and wants to become. She is the only good that is left of the rise and fall. He sees she needs him as much as he needs her. He is ready to give her the love of both parents without regard of giving too much.

In the end Charlie’s plans to take his daughter to Prague are in vain. His past has tracked him down and is trying to strap him in again. He remains strong and walks away disappointed but not defeated. He has every intention on coming back for his daughter. He walks away with a better understanding of his past and his future. He walks away with his character tact. Charlie Wales is not the irresponsible man people believe he is. He is a man who got carried away in a life that money could give you.