He

He Summary | Detailed Summary

The Whipples are a poor farming family living in the South. With three children to feed and clothe, the family often finds it difficult to make ends meet. Mr. Whipple understands the family's precarious position and often speaks of having bad luck. Mrs. Whipple, on the other hand, is an optimist, particularly in the presence of other people.

The family includes two boys and one girl. One of the boys, known simply as He, is initially described as "simple-minded." Mrs. Whipple is keenly aware of the boy's limitations and goes out of her way to tell others how much she loves him. Mr. Whipple, fearing that people will begin to think that their son is not loved by the rest of the family, asks his wife to not speak of her love for her son in this way. Mrs. Whipple responds that her feelings are no different from those of any other mother.

Even so, in speaking amongst themselves, the family's neighbors feel the boy's limitations are significant and feel it would be more merciful for him to die. However, in the presence of the Whipples, they are reassuring and comforting.

Mrs. Whipple also notices that when she has visitors, the conversation immediately turns to her son, and so she must talk about him before moving on to other topics. Whenever she speaks of her son, Mrs. Whipple makes certain to point out positive things, such as his physical strength and activity. Doing so seems to make her feel better and she often repeats a story involving her preacher in which he once told her that "The innocent walk with God - that's why he don't get hurt."

The boy grows and becomes more active, but does not get hurt. He does not speak, but is more patient than the other children. Despite being fat, he is physically strong and is able to carry more wood and water than his brother. Even so, Mrs. Whipple continues to fear that he will get hurt. Her fear seems to be fueled by her neighbors who, upon observing the boy climbing trees, voice their concern.

When her husband refers to the boy's limited abilities, Mrs. Whipple becomes angry and tells her husband that they must defend their son. Mr. Whipple's belief is that the boy will be fine as long as they can continue to provide him with clothing and food. Even so, Mrs. Whipple resents the fact that other people talk about her son.

When Mrs. Whipple's brother writes to say he and his family are coming to visit, she suggests that they slaughter one of their pigs to serve for dinner. Her husband objects, saying the pig can be sold for a significant sum of money at Christmas. They argue and Mr. Whipple finally gives up telling her that if she wants the pig slaughtered, she will need to do it herself.

When the day comes, Mrs. Whipple tries to convince her other son, Adna, to take the pig from its mother. Adna refuses, saying the sow will hurt him. Undeterred, Mrs. Whipple tells Adna that his brother is not afraid to do the job. She pushes the boy into the pen and he manages to get the pig without getting hurt. As she butchers the pig, Mrs. Whipple notices that her youngest son, at the age of ten, is bigger than his fourteen year-old brother.

On the day Mrs. Whipple's brother and family are due to arrive, the boy cannot stay clean, which frustrates his parents. When the company arrives, the boy remains in the living room while the rest of the family gathers in the kitchen. Mrs. Whipple tells them that her youngest son is shy and timid, an explanation that seems to satisfy her visitors.

After their visitors leave, Mr. Whipple bemoans the fact that they will not have the income from the pig they have just eaten. When Mrs. Whipple comments that her brother's family was pleasant and did not make any remarks about their simple lifestyle, Mr. Whipple responds that anyone who came to their house for a meal would be just as polite. Mrs. Whipple becomes angry and accuses her husband of not liking her family. She says she will never invite them again and then says she wishes she were dead.

Winter arrives and the family continues to have difficulty making ends meet. They scrape together whatever warm clothes they can find for Adna and for their daughter to wear to school. They rationalize that their younger son can remain indoors which will eliminate the need for them to buy him warm clothes.

In February, the boy gets sick and eventually, the family calls for the doctor. The doctor tells them to keep the boy warm and to make sure he has plenty of milk and eggs. Mr. and Mrs. Whipple take the blanket from their own bed and cover their son with it. As she does this, Mrs. Whipple remarks that no one can accuse them of not taking proper care of their son.

Spring comes and the boy's health seems to improve, although he appears to walk with a limp. Mr. Whipple says he has arranged with a neighbor to breed their cow and says he needs the boy to go to the neighbor's farm to get their bull. Mrs. Whipple is uneasy with this plan, but her husband insists and the boy is sent to get the bull.

Mrs. Whipple is anxious for him to return and so she stands in the lane watching for him. As she sees her son returning home with the bull, she is reminded of stories she has heard about bulls hurting people. She implores her son to move more quickly, but he continues to walk slowly and eventually gets the bull safely into the barn.

As time passes, the family seems to get poorer and poorer. Adna declares his intention to leave home at age 16 to get a paying job in a grocery store while Emly tells her parents she wants to be a teacher. That fall, Emly is given the opportunity to wait on tables in a nearby town, and she leaves home. By this time, Adna is gone as well and the Whipples are left to tend the farm with the only help of their youngest son.

One day, as He was returning from the barn, the boy slips on some ice and falls. He appears to have some sort of seizure, and Mr. and Mrs. Whipple put him to bed, calling for the doctor right away. The boy remains in bed for four months and continues to have frequent seizures. Eventually, the doctor tells them there is no hope and recommends that they put the boy in the county home.

Mrs. Whipple resists the idea, saying doing so is to accept charity. Mr. Whipple argues that they pay taxes to support the hospital and so they are entitled to use it. Further, he says he cannot continue to pay the doctor bills.

Mrs. Whipple finally relents, saying that the boy can come home again when he is well. Although Mr. Whipple tries to tell her that he will never get well, Mrs. Whipple is not convinced and finally agrees to send him to the hospital. When the day arrives for the boy to go to the hospital, a neighbor comes with his truck to take them. Although the hospital will supply an ambulance, Mrs. Whipple refuses, saying she does not want her neighbors seeing their son being taken away like that.

As they drive away, Mrs. Whipple notices her son is crying. Mrs. Whipple does not know what is causing her son to cry, but it makes her realize that her son has feelings. Before long, she begins crying as well. As she cries, she realizes that she has done everything she could for her son, and she still had two other children to think about. For the first time, she admits that it is pity that He was ever born.