The main character Dave, of the short story “The Man Who Was Almost A Man,” searches to find a way to achieve the feeling of power, authority, and reach maturity. He believes the key to manhood and independence can be achieved by owning a gun. Dave then purchased a gun, which initially gives him the sense of power and authority. Owning this gun and his feeling of power represents Dave’s belief that he has officially reached manhood. However, when Dave tries to shoot the gun, he gets knocked over falling to his knees. Firing the gun caused his hand to be in excruciating pain, and giving him the feeling that his hand was detached from his arm. This painful learning experience proves that he was not ready to handle the gun. It also symbolizes
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While Dave had the gun in his position he felt superior; as though he was the “big” man in the field. When he was out in the field with Jim Hawkins mule Jenny, Dave was waving the gun around and bragging to Jenny about the damage he could do with the gun. Little did he know, he would end up accidentally shooting Jenny. Once he discovered the bullet wound on her left side, he began to panic and tried to make up stories of how this tragedy occurred. He did not want to take responsibility or admit he injured the mule. Dave came up an extravagant tale to tell his boss on how Jenny had been injured. Neighbors had arrived in the field to find out what had happened to the mule. Many spectators found Dave’s explanation humorous because it was clearly a lie. Again Dave’s lie proved he was not ready to take on the responsibility of manhood. An honest adult would take responsibility for their actions, and a mature adult should know the difference between right and wrong. Dave was unable to handle the responsibilities that resulted from his actions. In the end Dave would be required to work for his boss and pay him two dollars a month; this was his punishment for him killing the mule. If Dave would have been mature enough to consider his actions, Jenny the mule’s death could have been
While Dave had the gun in his position he felt superior; as though he was the “big” man in the field. When he was out in the field with Jim Hawkins mule Jenny, Dave was waving the gun around and bragging to Jenny about the damage he could do with the gun. Little did he know, he would end up accidentally shooting Jenny. Once he discovered the bullet wound on her left side, he began to panic and tried to make up stories of how this tragedy occurred. He did not want to take responsibility or admit he injured the mule. Dave came up an extravagant tale to tell his boss on how Jenny had been injured. Neighbors had arrived in the field to find out what had happened to the mule. Many spectators found Dave’s explanation humorous because it was clearly a lie. Again Dave’s lie proved he was not ready to take on the responsibility of manhood. An honest adult would take responsibility for their actions, and a mature adult should know the difference between right and wrong. Dave was unable to handle the responsibilities that resulted from his actions. In the end Dave would be required to work for his boss and pay him two dollars a month; this was his punishment for him killing the mule. If Dave would have been mature enough to consider his actions, Jenny the mule’s death could have been