Writing is a way for the author to express their creativity. They write about the things they experience and what exists in their environment. Coming up with stories is a sure way to capture readers’ attention. Every writer aims to communicate to their audience compellingly. The stories in most books are analogies that convey the message that the writers intend to give. Thus they educate their audience more compellingly by the themes and the characters they include in their write-ups. The story, a strong dead man by Daniel Alarcon has a hidden meaning. The following discussion shows the analysis and the interpretation of a strong dead man by daniel Alarcon.
The story incorporates the theme of loss and death. Rafael’s father suffered strokes severally, and this time, he was at the risk of dying. When Rafael’s father suffered a stroke, Rafael was in his final school year. It was an experience that terrified him and his mother. It was evident that Rafael’s father would not make out from the hospital alive. Rafael’s aunts and uncles came to console Rafael and his mother. They were sad about the situation. Some cried while others laughed off their sorrow so they could not call. Rafael’s mother had not stopped crying since Rafael’s father got the stroke. It was a low incidence for Rafael to hear her cry. Rafael’s aunts were vigilant in helping Rafael’s mother bear with the incident. She was put under sleeping pills to help her sleep after days of continuous crying. The sleeping pills were vital because they allowed Rafael’s mother to seep calmly.
Rafael’s relatives continued to gather at their homes to offer them comfort. Mario is one of the relatives who paid attention to Rafael. He took him out of the house to help him erase his sadness. It was a fruitful experience because they did not talk about Rafael’s father from the time they were outside together. Instead, they played games and told each other stories. The author used flashbacks in the part where Mario and Rafael interacted (LaPointe, 2020). Mario told Rafael of his childhood encounter when riding his bicycles down the streets. He had a gunshot from one of the apartments one day, and a dead body fell over him. Mario got back to the bicycle and rode back home. He was so terrified that he refused to ride his back down the estate again. Instead, Mario watched the television and played games in the house. He stayed in the house and remained inactive such that he gained weight. It was one of the secrets Mario was keeping since childhood. Rafael also gave his childhood encounter where he saw a dead body wrapped in a nylon bag. He was so terrified that he did not tell anyone of the body.
The encounter of Mario and the dead body illustrates the sudden occurrences that change people’s lives. When Mario down the street, he was a free-spirited innocent boy. He could not figure out that something harmful could happen to him. He rode for fun. He was unsupervised because his parents were busy with work. The dead body represents the challenges people went through in the community and could not be realized by the people close to them (Loca et al., 2020). It was also a challenge that Mario encountered and could not tell anyone. In that case, it gives the illusion of the traumas people face in childhood. Mario was afraid that no one could believe him. In that case, he remained silent but adjusted his behaviors. He never rode his bike again. he changed entirely and adjusted to playing video games and watching television. It is a message to the parents to; look out for the changes that children exhibit. It could be a sign of challenges that could be disturbing their conscience. It also indicates the effects of the children’s relationship with their parents. Most parents are busy with their children, such that the children do not get to share their challenges with them.
The experience of Rafael with a dead body was a re[resentation of crime on the community. It shows many crimes happen in the community that is not recognized. Most people commit crimes and get rid of the witnesses. If the person remained alive, he could have evidence ti something wrong the perpetrators were hiding. The deaths that went unrecognized were also a symbol of the community’s things that challenge most people, but they cannot speak up. They get traumatized and carry on with life as though nothing has happened.
The author uses the death of Rafael’s father as a symbol that unites people in the community. When Rafael’s father gets a stroke, the aunts and uncles of Rafael come to sympathize with the family. They are aware of the agony Rafael and her mother is experiencing at the moment. They help her get rest by getting her some sleeping pills. Through the story, the author sti[ukates that there is family unity in the community because they gather to help one another in times of sorrow. It shows the family members’ love for one another because of the bond between Rafael and Mario. They are cousins that are willing to be there for each other. Mario managed to come through for Rafael and help him get over his father’s death.
In conclusion, when Rafael’s father suffered a stroke, Rafael was in his final school year. It was an experience that terrified him and his mother. It was evident that Rafael’s father would not make out from the hospital alive. Rafael’s aunts and uncles came to console Rafael and his mother. They were sad about the situation. Some cried while others laughed off their sorrow so they could not call. Rafael’s mother had not stopped crying since Rafael’s father got the stroke. It was a low incidence for Rafael to hear her cry. Rafael’s aunts were vigilant in helping Rafael’s mother bear with the incident. She was put under sleeping pills to help her sleep after days of continuous crying. The dead body represents the challenges people went through in the community and could not be realized by the people close to them. It was also a challenge that Mario encountered and could not tell anyone. In that case, it gives the illusion of the traumas people face in childhood. Mario was afraid that no one could believe him. In that case, he remained silent but adjusted his behaviors. He never rode his bike again. he changed entirely and adjusted to playing video games and watching television. It is a message to the parents to; look out for the changes that children exhibit. It could be a sign of challenges that could be disturbing their conscience.
References
LaPointe, M. (2020). Out of touch and famous: The literature of lockdown. TLS. Times Literary Supplement, (6131), 9-11.
Makoond, N., Pelà, L., Molins, C., Roca, P., & Alarcón, D. (2020). Automated data analysis for static structural health monitoring of masonry heritage structures. Structural Control and Health Monitoring, 27(10), e2581.
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