The Charmer
The Charmer Essay
“The Charmer” by Budge Wilson is a remarkable short story about the emotional conflict between Zachary and his family. The misfortune in the family begins when Zachary develops a sense of power. Growing up as a happy and popular young man, he creates himself the perfect reputation with a great deal of room for love and smothering from his mother and two sisters. Zack is overwhelmed with love and good deeds and he uses them to his advantage. The amount of love and forgiveness accustomed to Zachary creates the downfall of his childhood and early adulthood.
Lack of Appreciation
Zachary’s smothered childhood and charm lead to his non-appreciative and “I run the world” attitude. He constantly charms his way out of any consequences with his ravishing looks and flattering word choice. Zachary is prompted to believe that he can get through life by using his good looks, and he is not taught how to handle the difficulties of life. “How be you wash my bike for me, Posie, Love?" I would be halfway to the kitchen for bucket and rags before he stopped speaking… I was Zachary's willing slave. Slavery in fact, was a vogue in our house"(Wilson, 101). By constantly receiving favours he did not learn to appreciate what is actually being done for him, which later results in a disorganized adolescent. The lack of action resulted in the lack of appreciation in Zack’s life.
Forgiveness
Secondly, Zack’s poor nature also develops from his parent’s forgiveness. He dares to eat the cake that his mom labels: for Church Bazaar: death to anyone who touches it. He then uses just some flattery words to fool his mom into forgiveness: “Go ahead. Have another piece. You certainly are the limit!” (102). He is taught that he can do anything he pleases, knowing he should not and that he will stand a very good chance getting away with it. Zack makes mistakes but gets away without punishment or a good lesson. With the absence of consequence, Zack is able to walk over his parents.
“The Charmer” by Budge Wilson is a remarkable short story about the emotional conflict between Zachary and his family. The misfortune in the family begins when Zachary develops a sense of power. Growing up as a happy and popular young man, he creates himself the perfect reputation with a great deal of room for love and smothering from his mother and two sisters. Zack is overwhelmed with love and good deeds and he uses them to his advantage. The amount of love and forgiveness accustomed to Zachary creates the downfall of his childhood and early adulthood.
Lack of Appreciation
Zachary’s smothered childhood and charm lead to his non-appreciative and “I run the world” attitude. He constantly charms his way out of any consequences with his ravishing looks and flattering word choice. Zachary is prompted to believe that he can get through life by using his good looks, and he is not taught how to handle the difficulties of life. “How be you wash my bike for me, Posie, Love?" I would be halfway to the kitchen for bucket and rags before he stopped speaking… I was Zachary's willing slave. Slavery in fact, was a vogue in our house"(Wilson, 101). By constantly receiving favours he did not learn to appreciate what is actually being done for him, which later results in a disorganized adolescent. The lack of action resulted in the lack of appreciation in Zack’s life.
Forgiveness
Secondly, Zack’s poor nature also develops from his parent’s forgiveness. He dares to eat the cake that his mom labels: for Church Bazaar: death to anyone who touches it. He then uses just some flattery words to fool his mom into forgiveness: “Go ahead. Have another piece. You certainly are the limit!” (102). He is taught that he can do anything he pleases, knowing he should not and that he will stand a very good chance getting away with it. Zack makes mistakes but gets away without punishment or a good lesson. With the absence of consequence, Zack is able to walk over his parents.