Reading a story with a protagonist that is the epitome of egocentric makes for a bitter mood overall. It really forces the reader to despise the main character and feel sympathy for the others stuck dealing with this pessimistic figure. In this case, Asbury Fox plays the role of Negative Nancy in OConnor’s “The Enduring Chill”. Literally starting from page one, it is clear that Asbury has some kind of superiority complex. It would be nearly impossible to overlook this particular trait after witnessing his mannerisms throughout this short story. Asbury is the baby in this family, being eight years younger than his sister. This is actually very appropriate, considering he still acts like a baby although he is twenty-five years old. He claims to be an artist, while his sister is the principal of the local elementary school. The two undoubtedly have an ongoing battle, likely stemming from Asbury’s unwillingness to be positive in any aspect of his life. Asbury also has trouble accepting his mother’s nurturing personality. He refuses even Doctor Brock’s assistance, even though he is deathly ill. For someone that believes himself to be the smartest guy in the room, Asbury happens to be exceptionally obtuse. 

Asbury has little to no respect for his older sister. Within the first few pages, he mentions that she is eight years older than him. Asbury and Mary George have a very clear disconnect, which shows within the first few pages of this story. As Mrs. Fox greets her son, she informs him of his sleeping sister in the car and warns him not to wake her. The first comment Asbury makes about Mary George is, “let sleeping dogs lie” (87). This is nasty remark displays how little respect he has for his sister. Mary George does not overlook this disrespect like their mother does, but instead returns her brothers attitude. Sibling rivalry is not a new concept, but typically at this mature age it is long blown over. 

The Fox family seems to revolve around Asbury, or at least he thinks so. He has absolutely no respect for his mother, who only wishes the best for him. She mentions multiple times ways to improve his stay. “You can have a little studio in your room”, Asbury’s mother offers (94). To this all Asbury has to say is “close the blinds and let me sleep” (94). She also attempts to find Asbury someone “intellectual” to talk to. Mrs. Fox forgives her ungrateful son more than any mother ever should have to. He is an awfully selfish being. “For the first time since he had come home, his expression was pleasant” (100). This was obviously an important moment, seeing as the author felt the need to blatantly point out his protagonist’s one display of emotion that was not bitterness or disgust. Asbury is so full of contempt that he wants his mother to suffer with a guilty conscience after his death. He writes her a letter to read after he dies, which he compares to Kafka’s letter to his abusive and narcissistic father. This is actually extremely ironic, considering that Asbury’s entire character is in every way the definition of a narcissist. In this letter, Asbury makes certain to cause his mother to feel one hundred percent responsible for everything negative in his life. In his mind, she is to blame for his lack of imagination, talent, and creativity. He hopes that his mother is left with “an enduring chill” (94). 

As if two major examples were not enough proof, Asbury demonstrates his arrogance with the town doctor as well. In Asbury’s eyes, Dr. Block is the biggest joke of a doctor. “What’s wrong with me is way beyond Block” (88). Asbury literally repeats this four times. He openly ridicules the doctor by questioning his intelligence constantly. Not only this, but he absolutely refuses to be taken to any kind of medical facility to figure out what is wrong with him. It is interesting that Asbury has no doubt in his mind that he has the highest IQ of anyone in his family, but cannot even be bothered to go to a hospital or allow a doctor to examine him when there is clearly something wrong that could possibly be cured. It seems that he considers even his illness to be above everyone else. Such a “smart” person could never be infected with something so trivial that could be healed, and especially not something so simple that even Dr. Block could identify it. 

The protagonist in this story is possibly the only main character ever to remain completely static. Through all twenty-six pages of this short story, and even under such extreme conditions as Asbury is, he still remains unchanged. Yelling at his mother, disrespecting his older sister, and throwing tantrums to the doctor all seem to indicate an angst-ridden teen, which is something that a majority of adults of twenty-five grow out of at this point in life. Countless more examples of Asbury’s child-like selfishness can be found within the text. These displays of his all point to the only conclusion to be made from “The Enduring Chill”, and that is that Asbury is the epitome of arrogant and narcissistic.  