I think all three selections from Brevity face their authors' dragons of guilt. "Landlines" contains other themes as well, and the guilt is more subtle, but I do believe it is there. Each one is, however, different.
"I Remain Very Sorry For What I Did to the Little Black Kitten" explores themes of responsibility and power, and the guilt associated with a misuse of such. The speaker is fearless in confronting this dragon. She does not try to justify what she did, or paper over unpleasant details. What particularly moved me was the section where she describes the kitten's delicate, vulnerable features. Because this section is placed after we know that she abandoned the kitten, it takes on extra poignancy. It was a helpless beautiful thing to whom she did a terrible thing, and she's not afraid to let her readers know that excruciating fact. I also think she may have used the kitten as a symbol for the way she felt in relation to her parents, but I could be reading too far into it.
"Landlines" seemed a little less coherent to me, but still very powerful. It explores the themes of budding sexuality and violation, and the subtle feelings of guilt both can awaken. Although it is not explicitly stated, I do get the sense that the speaker feels as if her indulgence of Stevie's prank calls led to her harassment. Yes, Stevie is the one in the wrong, the one sexually harassing a young girl, but the speaker feels as if she has invited it. From what I have seen on TV programs and read, that is often a common reaction to such a violation. The author of "Landlines" also faces a dragon of fear and trauma. It is obvious to the reader that these events terrified her and left a scar on her adolescence, but the author rips open those old wounds for her readers with stunning bravery.
"Carolina/Tennessee" is different from the other stories because it deals with the guilt related to decisions and actions taken as an adult, when society tends to think people should know better. The other stories deal with childhood and adolescence, and for that reason readers may be more lenient with their judgment. Everyone did stupid or regrettable things as a child. The author of "Carolina/Tennessee" faces not only her own dragon of guilt over the affair, but the dragon of public rejection and embarrassment. To boldly put such a story on display to the whole reading community is an action worthy of respect.
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