The story “Optimists” is interesting because unlike many of the other narrators in this book, Frank seemed aware of the lasting effect the events of the story had on his life, citing it as “the year, in other words, when my life changed for all of us and forever.” (Ford 171). Frank acknowledges this before the story begins, and the life-altering effects of this are a theme throughout the story. Frank seems to believe his father killing Boyd was the beginning of the end for his family. This one action ruined Frank’s relationship with his parents as well as driving him to join the military. However, despite Frank acknowledging this, his recollection of the event is tempered with uncertainty regarding the events. We see this when Frank is looking at Boyd. “I think he was dead then,” he says. “I think even Penny Mitchell knew he was dead.” (Frank 180) In this event, we see uncertainty surrounding the moment of Boyd’s death, adding complication to an already complex situation. By not knowing the exact moment of Boyd’s death, Frank is left with unknown variables surrounding a traumatizing event. These unknown variables make it harder for him to overcome the trauma associated with the event. This trauma could be what caused Frank to leave his life behind, unable to deal with the complications associated with it.
Alongside this we also see Frank struggling with the memory of what life used to be like before his father went to jail. “I now no longer remember the exact year of my father’s birth, or how old he was when I last saw him, or even when the last time took place. When you’re young, these things seem unforgettable and at the heart of everything. But they slide away and are gone when you are not so young.” (Ford 187) This is Frank grappling with the complicated issues regarding his memory. He mourns the lost opportunity of the life he could have had, yet he slowly is losing the ability to recall what it was like. So now he is not only mourning what could have been but the memory of it.