The Boy Nobody Could Handle Analysis

Rough Copy Prabhsimar Kalra The short story ‘The Boy Nobody Could Handle’ is a moralistic tale written by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. The story revolves around the ideology of nurturing that has influence over our present attitude and behaviour. To interpret this idea, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. writes about a young lonely boy, Jim Donnini, who has a history of being abandoned and living in foster homes. The different nurturing aspects violence, lack of role models and lonesome Jim receives as a child has caused him to have a negative attitude and mentality. The story also illustrates Jim’s emotional attachment towards his black boots which shackles his personality within a negative persona. Nature versus nurture is an ongoing debated topic about behaviour …show more content…
Furthermore, Jim Donnini is a “tough, stringy [muscled]…” teenager who faces many hardships throughout his life. The environment Jim comes from influences his decision and actions. For example, Jim takes interest towards damaging school property. He was glad at the time he committed the crime; possibly because he retaliates with any positive surroundings. He’s also is in possession of dangerous weapons like knives with “blades as long as your hands…” Jim possibly has these belonging to reveal himself as a strong and dangerous person. He may also carry weapons due to previous experiences and for the use of protection. As follows, Jim is an extrovert teenager. For instance, Quinn asked Mr. Helmholtz to …show more content…
The black boots are a tangible representation of his identity and something he deeply cares for. The metaphorical message behind the boots is the black exterior with chains represents Jim personality and thinking. The colour black glorifies negativity, evil and a rebellion life, Jim leads. On the other hand, the chains represent the soul within Jim that is trapped, the pessimism that is holding him back. Another figurative approach can be the boots representing the journey from the point his father given him his gift to the new beginning when Mr. Helmholtz taken them off. Furthermore, the boots are very ironic because from the exterior they characterize Jim as a big and tough person. However, when taken off, Jim feet where skinny and blue, somewhat fragile. This was opposing his tough personality he tried to portray. The boots also represent people who categorize this self as emo. Emo people are people who think of the world in a negative approach, this definitely fits in the personality of Jim. The significance about the black boots is the only ounce of care he has towards something was the boots and when they were stripped