Humanity In Susan B. Pfeffer's Life As We Knew It
Human nature is an easily susceptible phenomenon. Susan B. Pfefferès Life as We Knew It, distinctly demonstrates this in all of the characters personalities in her novel, as they are attacked by the upcoming dilemma of the Moon being struck by a meteor, propelling it closer to Earth. Foremost, the theme is developed through Reverend Marshall’s deceitful actions stemming from selfishness, the several inhumane breakdowns Miranda's mom Laura faces, and the barbaric characteristics of the civilians in Miranda's town as they desperately strive for survival. Unquestionably, a prevalent theme in Life as We Knew It is that when survival becomes threatened, human characteristics such as kindness, compassion and sympathy will become stripped away.
Reverend …show more content…
When the population comes to understand the upcoming danger, they race to the grocery stores to acquire resources for survival. The protagonist witnesses this first hand saying “There were people racing for carts, people screaming, and two guys punching each other out.” (35). Frightened that they wouldn’t survive, the residents hopelessly fought each other with a cutthroat mentality. Their apocalyptic scenario made the townsfolk oblivious to anyone else’s health and mental state. Everyone brutally fought for their own slim chance of living. Similarly, people became increasingly desperate as the days continued. They would raid houses and stores with no consideration for the owners of the buildings. Miranda notices this after she went into Megan’s empty house saying “Whenever a house is deserted people come in and take everything that can possibly be used” (222). She also sees the damage in the city as she observes a gang breaking into a store where “...one of them would break the pane glass and go into the store.” (176). The citizens lost any morals they previously had. They shamelessly broke into houses and stores in order to reap small rewards. This previously small, organized community became shattered by the sudden need for survival with citizens becoming violent and primitive; diminishing their sense of
Reverend …show more content…
When the population comes to understand the upcoming danger, they race to the grocery stores to acquire resources for survival. The protagonist witnesses this first hand saying “There were people racing for carts, people screaming, and two guys punching each other out.” (35). Frightened that they wouldn’t survive, the residents hopelessly fought each other with a cutthroat mentality. Their apocalyptic scenario made the townsfolk oblivious to anyone else’s health and mental state. Everyone brutally fought for their own slim chance of living. Similarly, people became increasingly desperate as the days continued. They would raid houses and stores with no consideration for the owners of the buildings. Miranda notices this after she went into Megan’s empty house saying “Whenever a house is deserted people come in and take everything that can possibly be used” (222). She also sees the damage in the city as she observes a gang breaking into a store where “...one of them would break the pane glass and go into the store.” (176). The citizens lost any morals they previously had. They shamelessly broke into houses and stores in order to reap small rewards. This previously small, organized community became shattered by the sudden need for survival with citizens becoming violent and primitive; diminishing their sense of