In the short story “Average Waves In Unprotected Waters”, man versus self is definitely the main source of conflict. Man versus self is described as an internal struggle between the person and their inner self. Bet’s decision to take Arnold to the institution verses not to, is quite possibly one of the hardest decisions for Bet in the story. It seems that Bet contemplates whether or not she made the right decision to have him placed in the institution weighed heavily on her . Proof of this is how she reacts and flips constantly between the two choices making it very clear she that she is having an internal struggle with herself. This only adds more pressure to herself to making it harder to decide.
During the story, trying to get Arnold to the hospital is extremely rough for her, but she knows it’s …show more content…
She shows Arnold the love he needs and deserves, but yet she still knows she can't take care of herself and Arnold. She is the only caretaker of him since his father had left the family. Arnold did have someone to watch him sometimes but that was too difficult for her. Once he got older he was harder to control and care for. It’s shown how much she loves him, as she “would have liked to push their faces in” (701) when people stared at Arnold. She made sure he was tidy, calm and quiet. When Arnold wants a cookie, she is once again having to make another decision, worrying about the consequences. Bet did not want him to have a tantrum, yet she wanted him to look nice and well behaved. Most of the story talks about how lonely she is, what is best for him and how she is constantly trying to keep him settled. He has his own ways of being happy and any change makes him difficult. Bet is now regretting her decision, knowing that now she cannot change it. She is feeling worse as they get closer to the hospital and she is now starting to really think if she
During the story, trying to get Arnold to the hospital is extremely rough for her, but she knows it’s …show more content…
She shows Arnold the love he needs and deserves, but yet she still knows she can't take care of herself and Arnold. She is the only caretaker of him since his father had left the family. Arnold did have someone to watch him sometimes but that was too difficult for her. Once he got older he was harder to control and care for. It’s shown how much she loves him, as she “would have liked to push their faces in” (701) when people stared at Arnold. She made sure he was tidy, calm and quiet. When Arnold wants a cookie, she is once again having to make another decision, worrying about the consequences. Bet did not want him to have a tantrum, yet she wanted him to look nice and well behaved. Most of the story talks about how lonely she is, what is best for him and how she is constantly trying to keep him settled. He has his own ways of being happy and any change makes him difficult. Bet is now regretting her decision, knowing that now she cannot change it. She is feeling worse as they get closer to the hospital and she is now starting to really think if she