Haughton 1
Giselle Haughton
Professor Alexander-Thomason
English 1102-20549
18 September 2018
Critical Analysis of Samuel
Often times in life we tend to do things for the enjoyment of ourselves and peers with disregards to any awful outcomes. This was evident in the book Samuel by Grace Paley. A group of young boys were recklessly playing on the platform of subway cars when suddenly one falls off and dies. His mother is left with grief as she has lost her only boy and realizes that there will never be another one like him. There were “men and women in the cars on either side”(line) watching them, as they chose not to interfere, for their own personal reasons built on rasicm, pride and generational age differences. Sadly, they allowed the tragedy to play out, which could have been avoided if only they’d spoken up.
The issue of rasicm was apparent during this dismal time. It is clear that the men didnt want to help the little black boys to saftey. They made no effort and choose not to intefere, while instead they reministed on there own “adventurous” childhoods. They distinctly portrayed selfishness focusing on themselves, while it was their job as powerful, older authority to help. One lets his feeling grow to the point where he takes it upon himself to angrily pull the emergency brake, killing the young boy samuel. They fi...
