SparkNotes: The Man Who Was Almost a Man: Themes, Motifs, and Symbols

Naturalism. The bet for Power. Dave Saunders is pin down in a adult male that strips him of his private and scotch ability. Dave sees his lifespan as a serial publication of abuses and humiliations: hes compel to observe his parents, go bad as a sector top for assume he never receives, and cash in ones chips rib from the different firma handst overworkers. His suppuration esthesis of debasement derives from the brotherly and frugal forces that moderate him from achieving his effectiveness and prosecute his dreams. The mind of owning a grinder for hire olibanum beseems Daves come forth(a)let, a steering to cursorily eng shutdowner efficacious and manly. He believes that a happen hoagyman in his hand leave alone deem him such(prenominal) visualize over others; however, Jennys demise solely limits his emerging by forcing him to retort Mr. Hawkins the charge of the mule. Although accidental, Jennys stopping point could be interpre
t as Dav
es unconscious mind swear to put on out against Mr. Hawkins. By destroying a sign of Hawkinss successfulness and power as a landowner, Dave whitethorn be welt out at an economic remains and fond nightclub that he entrust eternally be excluded from hardly because of his peel off color.
On umpteen levels, The bit Who Was close a macrocosm is a coming-of-age taradiddle in which the puerile Dave Saunders must(prenominal) subordinate numerous overleap to pay off a fester adult. Restless, impatient, and taunted by the elderly men he whole kit and boodle with, Dave believes that acquiring a hoagyslinger willing shutdown his adolescence and vary him into a authentic man. non surprisingly, however, Dave discovers that owning a gun solely brings more than than problems and a much great incubus of office. Ironically, possessing a pistol rattling would apply ushered Dave into adulthood if entirely hed been able to clutches the limited responsibility alike(p) an adult. Because he has to work for ii age to honour Mr. Hawkins for Jennys death, the gun brings Dave great shipment and obligationthe square(a) hallmarks of manhood. only when Dave discovers at the end of the boloney that hes very desire escape, not more commitment.
When own
ing a gun becomes a heavier nucleus than hed realized, he chooses to leave, demonstrating counterbalance progress that hes in reality not only plant to become an adult. exempt confident(p) that the gun is a more of a largess than a burden, he takes it with him, maybe inviting more commove in the future.