What Is The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner Persuasive Essay

Since the beginning of it all, children are taught that as long as they have fun then everybody won. However, at some point between puberty and the stage of adolescence the fun begins to fade and competition becomes the aspect of every teen’s life. As athletes the teaching of technique and skill are drilled into the lifestyle, as scholars the teaching of studies and participating in other extra curriculars are the main focus and as outsiders the teaching of becoming insiders brings happiness to their lives. No matter what clique a teenager becomes a part of they are all trying to reach the same goal, having an idolized lifestyle. In The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner by Alan Sillitoe, the main character, Smith, realizes the lack of needing such a lifestyle as well as the unimportance of competition to succeed. Adults continuously utter, “I promise that high school will be the best four years of your life… so take it slow.” Teenagers casually nod their head and give the occasional eye roll, because adults are always wrong anyway. Except when reality sets in for
Then they say, “I can’t wait to be 18.” and of course, when they are 18, yet another milestone has been met, but they continue to state, “I can’t wait to be 21.” it becomes more of a routine until they are the age of 30, many milestones are met and they realize they were focused on what they wanted in the short time being that they don’t prepare themselves for the future. “...I’ll get you trained so that you wack every man in the Free World….” (Sillitoe pg. 35 PDF) Many teens do not have guidance which is why many of them end up wishing they could take it back. While at times the governor seems as if he wants what is best for himself and not for Smith, it is clearly visible that at times the governor can intervene in a good way and become the role model that Smith needs in his