Untitled story (Mike Costigan, writer and self-avowed futilist, gazed . . .)

Introduction

This untitled short narrative penned by Robert E. Howard, dating back to the 1930s, illustrates the unpredictable nature of life through its protagonist, Mike Costigan. The story delves into the theme of fate versus free will, showcasing how external circumstances can abruptly alter one’s path despite individual effort and determination. 700 words, unfinished.

As pointed out by Rob Roehm in the footnotes in the REH Foundation book Post Oaks and Sand Roughs & Other Autobiographical Writings this could very well be the story version of the Untitled play (A typical small town drugstore . . .). See a detailed comparison below.

Summary

Mike Costigan, a writer with a cynical view on destiny, engages in a debate with a woman named Gloria, who holds a more optimistic belief that individuals control their destinies. As they discuss, Gloria insists that persistence and focus can overcome any of life’s obstacles, while Mike argues that unforeseen events can derail even the most meticulously planned lives.

Their debate is interrupted when Tommy, a sportily dressed young man, arrives and invites Gloria to the club. Gloria departs with Tommy, leaving Mike to settle the bill and ponder a letter he just received. The letter contains exhilarating news: Mike’s hard work has finally paid off with a lucrative publication offer, proving his own efforts weren’t futile after all.

However, the celebration is short-lived. A drunk factory worker misinterprets Mike’s distracted demeanor as hostility, leading to a physical altercation. Mike reflexively punches the man, who falls and seriously injures himself. This sudden violence underscores the story’s theme: despite Mike’s recent professional success, an unpredictable twist of fate casts a shadow over his achievement.

Characters

  • Mike Costigan – The main character, a writer who debates the influence of destiny versus individual effort on a person’s life.
  • Gloria – A woman conversing with Mike, who believes firmly in the power of personal will and effort.
  • Tommy – A casually dressed young man who interrupts Mike and Gloria’s conversation to take Gloria to a club.
  • Gross – The manager of the establishment where Mike and Gloria are conversing, who harbors a disdain for Mike due to past interactions.
  • Drunken factory worker – An intoxicated man whose aggressive misunderstanding leads to a physical altercation with Mike, illustrating the story’s central theme of unpredictable fate.

Comparing the story and the play

Let’s take a closer look at the two works featuring Mike Costigan and compare the nuances in character depiction, setting, and themes.

Introduction to Both Works:

  • Untitled Story: Mike Costigan, a writer and self-proclaimed futilist, debates the power of individual agency against fate with Gloria, reflecting his cynicism about life’s unpredictabilities and the human inability to control destiny.
  • “A Typical Small Town” (Play): Set in a small-town drugstore, this play explores the life of Mike Costigan, a cynical writer struggling with his career and disdain for the commercial literary world. His interactions reveal his frustration with the superficiality and ignorance he perceives in those around him.


Detailed Comparison:

Characters:

  • Mike Costigan (Both): In both pieces, Mike is portrayed as a writer with a dark view of the world, deeply cynical about life and people. In the untitled story, he is engaged in a philosophical debate about fate and individual power, showing his intellectual side and skepticism. In the play, his character is expanded through interactions with various town members, displaying his disdain for commercial success and shallow literary appreciation.
  • Gloria (Untitled Story): Represents optimistic and traditional views on human potential and success, serving as a foil to Mike’s pessimism.
  • Lars, the manager, and the girl (Play): These characters help explore different facets of Mike’s character and his world view. Lars serves as a companion in the struggle of artistic life, the manager symbolizes commercial success which Mike despises, and the girl represents personal relationships that Mike navigates with difficulty.

Setting:

  • Untitled Story: The setting is more intimate, focused on a personal conversation in a casual dining setting. This allows a deep dive into philosophical discussions without much external interruption.
  • Play: The drugstore and the boarding house in the play provide a public and private backdrop, respectively, offering a broader social context that influences and is influenced by Mike’s interactions and outbursts. This setting reflects the typical environment of a small town where personal and communal lives intertwine.

Themes:

  • Control vs. Fate (Untitled Story): The core theme revolves around human agency versus destiny, with Mike arguing that life’s unforeseen events can derail even the most determined efforts.
  • Artistic Integrity vs. Commercial Success (Play): Mike struggles with the reality of commercial success versus artistic integrity, criticizing popular writers and expressing a deep-seated conflict between his ideals and the demands of the literary market.

Plot and Conflict:

  • Untitled Story: The conflict is more internal and philosophical, primarily a dialogue-driven exploration of ideas with a minor physical altercation providing a climactic disruption.
  • Play: The conflict is both internal and external, with dialogues exploring philosophical and practical aspects of Mike’s life as a writer, compounded by more dramatic personal interactions and physical altercations that underscore his emotional volatility and despair.

Conclusion: Both pieces illuminate different aspects of Mike Costigan’s character but share a common thread of his profound dissatisfaction with life and his surroundings. The untitled story focuses on existential debates, while the play blends these debates with everyday encounters, providing a richer tapestry of Mike’s struggles and worldview.

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