Work-In-Progress Opening to "All Only Children Are Gollums"
This is the first draft of the opening to my first nonfiction essay "All Only Children Are Gollums". I usually write fiction, but inspiration strikes where it strikes so I've ventured a bit away from my norm. Here is what I have so far, I hope you enjoy and if you have any feedback or comments I'd love to hear it.
Have you ever noticed that all only children are gollums? No really, before I lose you, think about it. What does Gollum do-- specifically what does he do in The Hobbit? He hates people who take his things, he doesn't like to share, he's greedy, loves to play and is a trickster. Now what small child does that not sound like? There are a few, for sure, but I guarantee you that this sounds like most, if not all, only children.
It probably comes as no surprise to you that I stumbled upon this revelation in my small studio apartment late one night as I sat upon my one comfy chair watching The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey. This was my first time seeing the film as I was unable to see it in theaters, so it was to my surprise what I saw in that cave below the mountains. As I watched Gollum's eyes widen in surprise and joy, much like that of Puss N' Boots, when Bilbo wanted to play a game with him; as I saw him angrily chase after Bilbo to reclaim what was stolen from him; as he screams and cries after his lost possession, I thought of me.
I thought of 2 year old Allegra refusing to share toys with cousins in family videos; of 8 year old Allegra who was always surprised and happy when someone wanted to play with her after school; of friends who threw tantrums and refused to do school assignments when they didn't like what it involved all the way through high school; Allegra who knew how to manipulate a situation to get exactly what she wants.
Allegra, who still has Gollum-like traits today.