The Goldfish

"The Goldfish" is a short story by Margaret Drabble that explores themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time. It follows a woman reflecting on her childhood, her relationship with her family, and her observations of a goldfish in a bowl. The story uses the goldfish as a symbol of life's fragility and the fleeting nature of childhood innocence. Through her reflections, the narrator considers how memories shape our understanding of ourselves and how moments, like the goldfish's brief life, remind us of life's transient beauty.