In the short story, “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket” by Jack Finney, the author portrays a self centered man who grows to become considerate and thoughtful throughout the events of the plot. In the beginning, the character, Tom Bennecke, is shown to be a man very dedicated to his career and an important aspect of his job is all on this one piece of paper that then accidently flies out of the character’s apartment window so he nearly risks his life not only to save the paper, but his own career as well. In the process of getting this paper, Tom reflects on the fact that he is always so full of himself and his work so much and he doesn’t leave any room for others in his life and this causes him to become more appreciative and caring for those
…show more content…
This is shown when Tom is outside on the ledge of his apartment building reminiscing on how he really is selfish and never spends nearly as much time as he probably should with his wife. The author writes, “he thought of all the evenings he had spent away from her, working; and he regretted them” (18). Here, Tom is admitting to his fault of never being there for his wife and he genuinely feels regretful about it. This revelation that Tom has is the start to him becoming a more considerate individual as he is now fully understanding what the effects of his selfish behavior are. Another example of Tom Benecke’s growth is when he is only a window glass away from safety and the author states, “he thought of Clare- just a wordless, yearning thought- and then drew his arm back just a bit more, fist so tight his fingers pained him (...) Then with full power, with every last crap of strength he could bring to bear, he shot his arm forward toward the glass and he said, ‘Clare’” (20). Here, what enables Tom the strength to break through the window, he finds, is not by self-pity as he previously tries, but by the compassion and want for those he would then re encounter once safe. Tom shows that he is no longer trying to live for his own sake anymore but to better fix the life he plans on sharing with Clare in the future. Overall, Tom turns into a man who is
This is shown when Tom is outside on the ledge of his apartment building reminiscing on how he really is selfish and never spends nearly as much time as he probably should with his wife. The author writes, “he thought of all the evenings he had spent away from her, working; and he regretted them” (18). Here, Tom is admitting to his fault of never being there for his wife and he genuinely feels regretful about it. This revelation that Tom has is the start to him becoming a more considerate individual as he is now fully understanding what the effects of his selfish behavior are. Another example of Tom Benecke’s growth is when he is only a window glass away from safety and the author states, “he thought of Clare- just a wordless, yearning thought- and then drew his arm back just a bit more, fist so tight his fingers pained him (...) Then with full power, with every last crap of strength he could bring to bear, he shot his arm forward toward the glass and he said, ‘Clare’” (20). Here, what enables Tom the strength to break through the window, he finds, is not by self-pity as he previously tries, but by the compassion and want for those he would then re encounter once safe. Tom shows that he is no longer trying to live for his own sake anymore but to better fix the life he plans on sharing with Clare in the future. Overall, Tom turns into a man who is