Analysis of 'How to Lose' from The Secret Habit of Sorrow

This essay provides an analytical overview of the short story 'How to Lose' from Victoria Patterson's collection, The Secret Habit of Sorrow. The essay centers on the character of Natalie, who grapples with infertility and the responsibility of caring for her nephew, AJ, after the death of her sister. The analysis delves into the evolving relationship between Natalie and AJ, highlighting the challenges they face, particularly AJ's struggles with weight and social interactions. The essay examines Natalie's efforts to support AJ, her attempts to build a strong bond, and the obstacles she encounters in helping him overcome his health concerns and build confidence. The essay also touches upon the themes of family, loss, and personal challenges, presenting a comprehensive understanding of the story's emotional depth and narrative complexities.

An analytical article about the short story how
to lose with focus on the main character

Summary
The novel of How to Lose by Victoria Patternson 2018, is mainly based on secret stories
of those persons who have faced struggles to deal with personnel challenges and covered in book
of The Secret Habit of Sorrow. The present essay is based one of its main character named by
Natalie, who is dealing with aftermath of abandoned i.e. fail for fertility treatments. She is then
care for young nephew AJ Trains after death of her sister. Here, a beautiful presentation is given
on story of relationship developed between both aunt and nephew as well as the way they are
dealing with challenges of life. There is a pitch-perfect blend of emotional wisdom, linguistic
dexter and observation that a children faced to deal with personnel challenges. In this story,
challenges that faced by Natalie is to concern on health of AJ who is at a health risk due to fat.
Analysis
The present case on “How to Lose” which has been taken from “The Secret Habit of
Sorrow” by VICTORIA PATTERSON in 2018. It provides the scenario of an individual named
Natalie who has a medical problem that she is nor capable to get pregnant. However, it has been
analysed that one day when she woke up in the morning then feel blood between her thighs and
dripping down her legs. She thought about her situation of periods but her body's out of whack
from abandoned fertility treatments. Natalie do not have her own baby and she take care about
her nephew but not capable to establish an effective bond with that kid in order to take care of
him. She has tried to make everything comfortable and perfect for AJ and take care of his each
choice and likes to fulfil them in correct way. In addition to this, it has been analysed that her
nephew, AJ has problem of overnight condition due to which he avoid to do social interaction
much, he is not capable to even his actual efficiency kills and abilities. It has been evaluated that
AJ is very much capable in task of swimming but her deny to teach the same to other children
because of his extra body weight. Moreover, additional weight is also harmful for him to loss his
confidence and increase risks of generating another health problems as well.
At the other hand, Natalie put her overall efforts to take care of the child for facilitating
his welfare but still face challenges. She has trying to do everything for AJ in respect of
providing him a better life and a bright future but she is not much able to built an effective and
strong bond with that kid. However, it has been analysed that AJ complaints from Natalie that
she is his aunt that is why she feel shameful to tell him about his extra body weight. It is
necessary for this lady to put efforts for reducing the weight of AJ and motivate him to boost up

his confidence towards his special capability of swimming. Meanwhile, it is essential for Natalie
to to encourage his swimming as it is also helpful to reduce additional fat of body and maintain
proper balanced diet as well. Moreover, it is also important for her to establish strong and
efficient bond with friendly exchange of thoughts which helps to AJ to remain comfortable &
confident. Furthermore, it has been analysed that they both are required to put proper efforts
together for making AJ healthy and fit. It is analysed that other effective exercise and physical
work out can also prefer by Natalie to maintain accurate health of her nephew.
Discussion
Here, in this story of 'How To Lose' a heart touchy story is written by Victoria Patterson
where a character Natalie faced a number of challenges to sustain life. The character was already
suffered from failure of fertility treatment who has further take care of nephew AJ after the death
of own sister. For providing proper care, Natalie always tried up to become AJ's friend. Since
this child was fat at childhood so feel ashamed while swimming in school time and to talk about
same to aunt – Natalie. By concerning on this matter that AJ got fat, Natalie takes main
responsibility to keep this child fit and healthy. For attainment of this, respective character has
faced a number of challenges and build up confidence of AJ to learn life lessons.

References
Online
The Secret of Habit of Sorrow. 2018. [Online] Available
Through:<https://www.scribd.com/book/377350653/The-Secret-Habit-of-Sorrow-
Stories>.