Analysis Of W. D. Valgardson's Matter Of Balance

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People who commit crimes may be punished in unexpected ways. But you must choose one way and live with the consequences. Also, when you center your life around unfortunate events, you are much more vulnerable to isolation, which may conflict with new opportunities. For example, when you foresee possibilities that could happen, it may elicit fear of what may happen. Our past helps us to make decisions about our future. In the short story Matter of Balance, W.D Valgardson presents the idea that fear allows people to attempt difficult tasks in their lives. Even when there is a chance of failing. Independence is necessary to grow up, though it can be intimidating sometimes. Traumatic experiences can affect how someone sees humanity, leading him …show more content…
Harold felt contempt and fear. Also the blonde biker that raised his hand and pointed two fingers like a pistol pretending to shoot, created an overwhelming amount of fear for Harold.. After that, the blond biker already coming down the cliff, while the other one blocked off the path and the biker take out a knife. Harold recalls his past experience as well as memories to make a decision. He had many adversities in his life from being bullied in the school yard with his wife dying, which were all factors in his deciding whether or not to save his attackers. Harold leaves the bikers in such a dangerous position. The bikers could attack him after Harold helps them. “The words tugged at him like little black hooks. He looked down. Their faces bleached white with fear. He could tell someone, a park warden, perhaps, but then what would happen?” The reason he might have thought about helping is his past experience. He doesn’t want to help a person who had disturbed him. But Harold doesn’t want them ending up like his wife. Also Harold has the right to defend himself, so his actions are justified in this event. Although it does draw attention between the moral conflict between self-protection and revenge. People behave very irrationally when put in an unwanted situation. During this story the bikers are acting very irrationally, creating unnecessary …show more content…
He tries to ignore the bully, but the bully does not care about Harold’s feelings.This event reminds him about his past once seeing the bikers. The second events are when Harold remembers when his wife was killed. “That was the way he felt, like a snake, or an arbutus, shedding his old skin for a new, better one.” (252) This quote recognizes Harold's leap from the past to the present. This story is told by an omniscient narrator, which tends to help us understand Harold better. Throughout the story we see he continues to struggle with the passing of his wife, and his illness. He is a very absent minded character, but has very good observation skills. He notices the bikers action change, and begins to be more

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