On The Sidewalk Bleeding Essay

On the pavement BleedingOn the Sidewalk Bleeding, by Evan Hunter is a story about a boy from a rabble, getting polish cancelled in a dark alley, by members of the rival ingroup. It is written in the third person omniscient point of view. The story focuses on the topic of realization of one and exclusively(a)s square(a) personal identity. This theme is depicted with the dish up of several literary devices such(prenominal) as symbolism, to create depth in the centre of the story, thoughtful use of caustic remark and partization elements, which create lucidity in the referees mind about the characters thoughts and situation.Symbolism plays a major agency in cozy uping the characters realization of his authoritative identity as the purple cap, which is the main symbol in the story, represents labels put on people in monastic order. A young couple sees Andy in disoblige and the boy rushes towards him but soon denies him help. He saw the lettering on the top then. TH E ROYALS. shows the suit the couple did non want to get involved. The capital world a symbol of prejudgment, determines the way society sees Andy. The name on the cap defines him to the passers by and the person inside does not matter to them. The majestics being written on the chapiter causes the couple to rethink the consequences of helping him. alternatively of asking him his name or what had happened, they make a judgment that Andy could solely mean danger and trouble, because of the gang name on his jacket. The jacket, the symbol of prejudice, leads to his death. unspoiled before he dies It seemed very important to him that he take off the purple jacket. At this point he realizes that he is end and postulate to be kn induce for who he really is, instead of for the name on his jacket.He comes to realize in his last moments, that his admittedly identity is his own name. Hence he tries to take off the label, literally and metaphorically, that society has disposed to hi m. The removal of the jacket symbolizes Andys desire and flack to get rid of the stereotypical label of The Royals and the prejudice that it brings along. However, changing societys thought is not easy for Andy. This is seen when He lay struggling with the shiny jacket. The reference here is shown by the word struggle. It shows that he cannot remove the jacket as easily, because he is wounded. However the line suggests that, even though Andy urgently tries to get rid of peoplesinfluenced, prejudiced view of feel at him, he cannot do so very easily. This implies the authors judicial decision that societys prejudiced opinions cannot be easily escaped, and that disposing of the labels one acquires through their life, is a lifelong struggle. The jacket being the symbol for such labels and prejudice, removing it shows Andys realization of his true identity, making clear that he today wants to be known for who he really is, eliminating any influence that the jacket may rich person .Hunter uses irony to emphasize the contrast between the characters realization of his true identity and societys lore of the character. This is shown when readers learn that He mat up alone. It is ironic that he feels lonely when the reason for his murder is that he belongs to a gang. Belonging to a large gang which was evidently a great part of his life, and yet being lonely while suffering, suggests that Andy comes to realized that in the long run, he should stand alone, delimit by his own individuality. He realizes that The Royals was just a name presumption to the gang and it should not, in any way, influence peoples opinion of him as a person. Another example of irony can be seen in the end of the story when He was very close to expiry when they found him, he did not want them to say, Oh, its a Royal.A Royal. Andys last wish is to be recognized as Andy and not as a Royal. The fact that he is on the frontier of death makes readers believe that he will be granted his dyin g wish. However, at the end of the story, when cops find his dead body, they do exactly what he is afraid they will do. Andy struggles in his suffering, to remove the jacket in an attempt to eliminate its influence, but in the end ironically, the cop picks it up and refers to him as A Royal. The cop completely ignores the fact that his name is Andy and repeats the agnomen as he writes it down, emphasizing on the ironic idea of society disregard Andys dying attempts to be known as an individual. Dramatic irony is presented when it is said that, The jacket was a stupid meaningless thing.The jacket is described as meaningless when, ironically, the jacket carries tremendous meaning to society as portrayed in the story, being the sole reason of his death. Had he not been wearing the jacket, he would not have been denied help and wouldnt have been shot in the first place. In this situation, the readers understand a completely different connotation of the jacket compared to the character s correspondence of its purpose. The jacket symbolizes the prejudgment in society to the readers, while it seemingly carries no meaning to Andy. Such use of irony throughout the story convinces the reader of Andys struggle to realize and be recognized for his true identity.The moving-picture show elements used in the story, focusing on Andys energizing character, highlight the theme of realization of ones true identity. Even in his pain, there had been some sort of pride in knowing he was a Royal. Now there was no pride at all. shows the transmit in Andys thinking, before and after being stabbed. He has unendingly felt proud about being a part of The Royals and had neer imagined this. As a result of being assaulted just for being in the gang, he now understood the significance of being known for his true identity rather than as a member of the gang and felt no pride in wearing the patronage of The Royals anymore. His character is seen to have changed significantly as he trans itions from being oblivious and proud of the ennoble to being filled with regret and misery. In Wondered why the rumbles and the jumps and the purple jacket has alship canal seemed so important to him before. Now they seemed like such lilliputian things in a world he was missing. readers understand that not only has Andy changed his attitude towards the jacket and the title, but also his perspective of the world has changed. At first he is so proud and taken up by the fact that he is part of a famous gang, that he forgets to measure or even notice the other things in the world.After manufacturing on the sidewalk, dying, he realizes that there is much more to life than gang brawls and jackets with titles. It is seen that had he lived, he would have changed the way he lived. His character changes from a materialistic, proud teenager to a more mature, aware and perceptive homosexual being, desperate to live. Andy comes to doubt the meaning of his title, He was a Royal. There had b een meaning to the title he wondered about the meaning. If he died he was Andy. He was not a Royal. Initially the jacket means everything to Andy. He mentions how ecstatic he was when The Royals accepted him. He now understood that it was all over and that the title was now worth nothing. He wanted to be known as Andy before and after his death. He himself was proud of being A Royal and recognized himself as one. However as he dies, he realizes that he was more than just A Royal and wanted everyone to know that. He was no more proud or infatuated by thetitle and appreciated his true identity, which was his name. Andys character changes in many ways through the course of the story, the main change being recognizing the importance of his individuality, as he understands the prejudice that exists against the gangs in society. The characterization elements help readers see this dynamic character, giving a better understanding of Andys realization of his true identity.The theme of realiz ation of ones true identity is successfully presented through the use of symbolism, irony and characterization elements. The jacket symbolizes the prejudgment in society, marking its removal as a turning point in Andys discovery of his individuality. Irony shows the contrast between the characters changing feelings and the reality. Characterization elements portray the character as a dynamic character that changes drastically in terms of thoughts, feelings and perspective, by the end of the story. These literary devices help readers understand the theme of realization of ones true identity.