"Doe Season" by David Michael Kaplan is a thought-provoking and deeply moving short story that explores themes of identity, morality, and the complexities of human relationships. The narrative revolves around the protagonist, Andy, a young man who becomes embroiled in a complex and transformative experience during a hunting trip with his uncle.
Kaplan deliberately leaves the answer ambiguous. What is clear, however, is that Andy will never be the same. The “doe season”—both the hunting season and the season of her girlhood—has irrevocably ended.
Recommendation: Fans of authors like Raymond Carver, Richard Ford, or Andre Aciman will likely appreciate Kaplan's lyrical prose and nuanced characterization. Additionally, readers who enjoy novels about small-town life, family dynamics, and self-discovery will find much to appreciate in "Doe Season".
If you are conducting serious research, be aware that the “Doe Season” text varies slightly by anthology. The version in The Atlantic (November 1985) contains one paragraph about the mermaid’s “silver hair” that is truncated in later printings. The version in Kaplan’s 1990 collection Comfort (University of Missouri Press) is considered the authoritative text. Always cite the edition you use.
This is the story’s climax. She is not rejecting her father—she is rejecting the false self he helped create. The car ride home is silent. She cries, and the story ends:
Themes and Symbolism