A Minimum of Two

In most stories from a Minimum of Two there are examples of those who struggle to live better lives and those "bitter" characters that don't. Jerra's mother is the one who says "Be better not bitter" which sums up a main underlying theme that is present throughout the text, that theme being the message that those that struggle to achieve "better" things in their lives live a more fulfilling and happy existence compared to those who give up, look backward or dwell on the past. A few stories that give perspective on the divide between those that struggle and those that don't bother to are ‘No Memory Comes', ‘Holding' and all the stories on the Nilsams.

In the story "No Memory Comes" we see The Boy that doesn't adapt juxtaposed to his friend that does. Both boys are in similar circumstances yet one chooses to be backward looking whilst the other looks to the future. Both boys grow up in a small town which throughout the story develops into a commercial tourist spot with high rise apartments all the while losing its country feel. The Boy always talks about the past he "bores people at parties, he tells them everything he remembers" and through these constant reflections the reader is given the impression that he is not embracing the present or the possible future. Ultimately, this ends in his destruction when he tries to open one of his Dad's old beers (a symbol the past). Whilst doing so he slips and cuts himself in the groin with the opener. Symbolically, where he cut himself is very important by castrating himself the reader is again entrenched with the idea of The Boy being unable of maturing into a man. His friend, on the other hand, adapts to the changes in his town, and although he doesn't like them he doesn't let them consume him, he accepts them and gets on with his life. He struggles for the things that he wants and it pays off for him as he gets a girlfriend and becomes head boy of his school. The comparison between the two boys is strong and so is the end result of the two separate paths they take.

Another strong comparison is made between the two characters Clive and Hart in the story "Holding". Hart in this case, is the "bitter" individual and, Clive is the one who struggles to be "better". Harts situation is quite a lonely and depressing one. He is divorced and single, seems to be frustrated with and dislike his work (he swears at one of his mentally ill patients), and has no religion. His friend Clive is 10 or more years older than Hart, has children, is happily married, enjoys his work, is financially well off, and is religious. This story really accentuates the need for religion if one is going to enjoy life, it gives Clive a strength and a point to his life that Hart lacks near the end of the story. This difference is highlighted when Hart describes life as "so bloody futile" to which Clive replies "just a little complicated. Not futile." Clive can see beyond the short term pain because he knows that heaven is always in the future for him, while Hart is stuck dwelling on his failed marriage and a job he doesn't like.

The stories of Jerra and Rachel show us a different perspective on the idea of a direct divide between the "bitter" and the "better" as Rachel is seen to be strong and forward looking - epitomised in the story "The Strong One". Jerra starts off "bitter" and dwelling on the past but as the stories progress we see a change in Jerra where he finally sees his direction in life which is that of a father to Sam and through this direction and purpose he is able to become "better". He goes from when we first see him: in the forest, a down trodden man on the edge of breakdown, to a reasonably successful musician and father. All the while Jerra's change is juxtaposed to Rachel whose constant struggles for a "better" life includes: leading the family, going to university, and overcoming Jerra's affair.

The struggle for a "better" life makes one stronger and being "bitter" and dwelling on the past has many adverse affects. The characters in Winton's novels both do struggle for better lives and do not, but the message is clear: the struggle is the preferable option.