The tooth is out

I am free

Tyrant of pain

Specific and debilitating

Nick Nolte plays the part

Perfect really

Bloodshot eyes, maniacal unrest

Whiskey driven pliers

Take the tooth

Take the tooth

Take the tooth and burn it down.

Take the tooth and burn it down.

So I just had a tooth pulled and goddamn does it hurt. It’s impossible for me to think about anything except this scene from Affliction (1997- Nick Nolte, Sissy Spacek, James Coburn based on the book by Russell Banks). Nolte’s character, Wade Whitehouse, is yoked to a toothache from the beggining of the movie until this scene at the end when he finally takes matters into his own desperate hands.

I find there is no pain quite so exquisite and debilitating as that of a toothache or an ear infection. So when the tooth is pulled or the ear drum ruptures, the relief on the other side is welcome, regardless of the destruction.

Pain or the hope of relief from pain can be a great engine to drive a story. Russell Banks isn’t the only one to do it.

There’s Misery by Stephen King where Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) delivers it blow by blow and Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller that runs on emotional pain of isolation. These stories use pain not merely as a plot device but as a profound element to explore the depths of the human psyche, challenge the characters' limits, and evoke a strong emotional response from the reader.

Pain really packs a punch in stories, right? It’s like a magnet that pulls us right into the heart of the action and the characters’ lives. When characters suffer, whether it’s a throbbing toothache or the ache of a broken heart, it’s not just their story anymore—it sort of becomes ours. We can’t help but root for them, hoping they find some relief or escape. This connection isn’t just about feeling bad for them; it’s deeply personal. It taps into our own experiences with pain and our universal desire to get past it. Every twist in their journey keeps us hooked, making every challenge they face feel even more crucial.

And here’s the thing about pain in stories: it doesn’t just make things more interesting; it’s a goldmine for character growth. Watching someone struggle through tough times and come out the other side, maybe a bit battered but hopefully better, is really what gets us. It’s not just about hoping they’ll get better—it's about seeing how they handle the mess. Do they fall apart? Get stronger? Find a new path? This journey can be super cathartic. We’re not just along for the ride; we're there for the transformation, sharing in the highs and lows, and maybe learning a thing or two about resilience ourselves. In the end, these stories stick with us because they’re not just about suffering; they're also about hope and survival.

While I recover from a tooth extraction, I will consider the role of pain as a narrative driver, I’ll think about how Nick Nolte’s character didn’t even watch a YouTube video before he yanked out that tooth, and how everyone in my house has been really kind—getting me pineapple juice for the swelling, making oatmeal, walking the dog, and even doing my work for me. Good people, I thank you.

Ciao,

n