Lissa, Amateur Here

In Danielle Evans’ short story "Lissa, Amateur," the protagonist is trapped in a state of suspended animation. At twenty-six, Lissa is neither a child nor a fully realized adult, a Limbo exacerbated by the recent death of her mother. Evans uses Lissa’s foray into the world of amateur acting and her strained relationship with her father’s new family to explore how individuals "perform" their identities to mask the vacuum left by profound loss. Ultimately, the story suggests that being an "amateur"—in acting and in life—is a defense mechanism against the terrifying permanence of grief.

The title itself serves as a double entendre. On the surface, it refers to the "amateur" acting gig Lissa takes, where she is paid to play a "medical person" in a simulation. However, the term more accurately describes Lissa’s approach to her own life. She is an amateur at navigating the expectations of adulthood and a novice at processing her mother’s death. By engaging in simulations, Lissa finds a space where the stakes are low and the script is provided. In the "real" world, however, she struggles to find a script that fits her new reality as an orphan. Her cynicism—a "knowing" detachment—is actually a shield; if she treats her life like a rehearsal, the pain of her mother’s absence cannot fully take root. lissa, amateur

Are you analyzing this story for a , or is this for personal interest ? In Danielle Evans’ short story "Lissa, Amateur," the