Perception in “The Bounty from Locust Jack” by Jordan Abel
Jordan Abel’s dark, yet enlightening short story “The Bounty from Locust Jack” showcases society’s blindness towards those in need, and society’s biased perception of other. Through the narrator’s description his visions, the clarity and contrast of those around him, and the situations he puts himself into, the text explore the imbalances of society. A central theme of the story “The Bounty from Locust Jack” is that worldly desires can greatly affect perception of the world, and that society should not let that perception prevent each other from helping those in need. The narrator’s lack of awareness towards his surroundings during his search for his missing brother shows society’s …show more content…
When asked about his relationship with his brother, the narrator reveals that he “didn’t grow up with [his brother]” (63), however, he did “look up to [his brother]” (63) as a child before his brother moved out. Dee mentions that the narrator’s brother was a “good guy” (63) twice in succession. Later in the same conversation, Dee “places her hand onto [the narrator’s] shoulder” (63), and takes a deep breath before telling him that “[his] brother does a lot of drugs” (63). The way the story reveals that the narrator has “looked up” to his brother but “didn’t grow up with him” suggests that people’s perception of their loved ones do not change after their loved ones make terrible decisions because they believe that their loved ones acted out based on their situation. The narrator mentioning he was just a child when his brother moved out leaves the reader wondering what caused that separation, and whether his longing for his brother stemmed from a childish idolization. Dee telling the narrator that his brother was a “good guy” early into their conversation foreshadows that she is going to reveal something to the narrator. As a further means of preparing this revelation, Dee putting her hands onto the narrator 's shoulder signifies that she knows that this will be a heartbreaking to the narrator. Finally, the deep breath Dee takes before informing the narrator
Jordan Abel’s dark, yet enlightening short story “The Bounty from Locust Jack” showcases society’s blindness towards those in need, and society’s biased perception of other. Through the narrator’s description his visions, the clarity and contrast of those around him, and the situations he puts himself into, the text explore the imbalances of society. A central theme of the story “The Bounty from Locust Jack” is that worldly desires can greatly affect perception of the world, and that society should not let that perception prevent each other from helping those in need. The narrator’s lack of awareness towards his surroundings during his search for his missing brother shows society’s …show more content…
When asked about his relationship with his brother, the narrator reveals that he “didn’t grow up with [his brother]” (63), however, he did “look up to [his brother]” (63) as a child before his brother moved out. Dee mentions that the narrator’s brother was a “good guy” (63) twice in succession. Later in the same conversation, Dee “places her hand onto [the narrator’s] shoulder” (63), and takes a deep breath before telling him that “[his] brother does a lot of drugs” (63). The way the story reveals that the narrator has “looked up” to his brother but “didn’t grow up with him” suggests that people’s perception of their loved ones do not change after their loved ones make terrible decisions because they believe that their loved ones acted out based on their situation. The narrator mentioning he was just a child when his brother moved out leaves the reader wondering what caused that separation, and whether his longing for his brother stemmed from a childish idolization. Dee telling the narrator that his brother was a “good guy” early into their conversation foreshadows that she is going to reveal something to the narrator. As a further means of preparing this revelation, Dee putting her hands onto the narrator 's shoulder signifies that she knows that this will be a heartbreaking to the narrator. Finally, the deep breath Dee takes before informing the narrator