Ahsan Tariq
29th September 2014
ENG3U0 – Period 1
Mr. Leclair
Evaluating The Consequences of Death
In the stories “Gregory” by Panos Ioannides and “The Day of The Last Rock Fight” by Joseph Whitehill the authors discuss their similar yet different viewpoints on how death can have adverse effects on a person and their behavior towards things. In “Gregory” Ioannides argues how the death of an innocent can change a person while in “The Day of The Last Rock Fight” Whitehill argues how such an incident can drive people crazy because of an unrelated fear, the betrayal of trust. While both the stories have a similar conflict (PERSON VS SELF), “Gregory” is about direct affairs and consequences that relate to the incident (death) whereas “The Day …show more content…
In “Gregory”, Ioannides conveys a more moralistic message in relation to the crisis of the story. The crisis was initiated due to a tough choice imposed upon the soldier by the headquarters. The line, “It’s either your skin or his.” [Ioannides 155] is repeatedly mentioned in the story since it clearly defines on what basis the soldier made his choice. However, in the story, “The Day of The Last Rock Fight” a similar yet different choice has to be made. This choice was made by …show more content…
Both these stories, “Gregory” and “The Day of The Last Rock Fight” are dependent on trust. However, there is a slight difference relating to this topic in both these stories. In “Gregory”, Ioannides displays trust very clearly showcasing various events where it is truly evident. The line “Because you didn’t escape when the sentry fell asleep – because you didn’t escape yesterday when we sent you to do the laundry all alone..” [Ioannides 157] helps us understand the faith and trust Gregory had put into the soldiers. His trust is later betrayed after the soldier is forced to kill him and he says the following line. “I hate you, hate you…” [Ioannides 156]. In the story “The Day of The Last Rock Fight” trust is evident throughout. Since the beginning of the story the author had described Ronnie’s and Peter’s relationship as one of great conviction and entrustment. Whitehill, without contradicting himself, decides to retain this trust till the very end of the story. Ronnie, even after witnessing Gene’s death kept quiet for the sake of his friend. Not only that, but he was also sent to a school filled with overly emotional fools just because he couldn’t break his friend’s trust and expose him to everyone. How easy was it for the soldier in “Gregory” to break Gregory’s trust whereas look what Ronnie went through to retain
29th September 2014
ENG3U0 – Period 1
Mr. Leclair
Evaluating The Consequences of Death
In the stories “Gregory” by Panos Ioannides and “The Day of The Last Rock Fight” by Joseph Whitehill the authors discuss their similar yet different viewpoints on how death can have adverse effects on a person and their behavior towards things. In “Gregory” Ioannides argues how the death of an innocent can change a person while in “The Day of The Last Rock Fight” Whitehill argues how such an incident can drive people crazy because of an unrelated fear, the betrayal of trust. While both the stories have a similar conflict (PERSON VS SELF), “Gregory” is about direct affairs and consequences that relate to the incident (death) whereas “The Day …show more content…
In “Gregory”, Ioannides conveys a more moralistic message in relation to the crisis of the story. The crisis was initiated due to a tough choice imposed upon the soldier by the headquarters. The line, “It’s either your skin or his.” [Ioannides 155] is repeatedly mentioned in the story since it clearly defines on what basis the soldier made his choice. However, in the story, “The Day of The Last Rock Fight” a similar yet different choice has to be made. This choice was made by …show more content…
Both these stories, “Gregory” and “The Day of The Last Rock Fight” are dependent on trust. However, there is a slight difference relating to this topic in both these stories. In “Gregory”, Ioannides displays trust very clearly showcasing various events where it is truly evident. The line “Because you didn’t escape when the sentry fell asleep – because you didn’t escape yesterday when we sent you to do the laundry all alone..” [Ioannides 157] helps us understand the faith and trust Gregory had put into the soldiers. His trust is later betrayed after the soldier is forced to kill him and he says the following line. “I hate you, hate you…” [Ioannides 156]. In the story “The Day of The Last Rock Fight” trust is evident throughout. Since the beginning of the story the author had described Ronnie’s and Peter’s relationship as one of great conviction and entrustment. Whitehill, without contradicting himself, decides to retain this trust till the very end of the story. Ronnie, even after witnessing Gene’s death kept quiet for the sake of his friend. Not only that, but he was also sent to a school filled with overly emotional fools just because he couldn’t break his friend’s trust and expose him to everyone. How easy was it for the soldier in “Gregory” to break Gregory’s trust whereas look what Ronnie went through to retain