Couple, Button
Choice and Consequence
In the short story “Button, Button”, author Richard Matheson applies an interesting storyline to inform readers of the dangers of greed. The characters, Norman and her husband, Arthur, are presented with an unusual offer from Mr. Steward. The couple is gifted with a strange button that, if they choose to press, will award them $50,000. This offer does come at a cost, being that someone will die when they press the button. Furthermore, Mr Steward guarantees them that it will be someone they know who dies. This proposition intrigues Norma and leads her to try and justify pushing the button, on the contrary, Arthur is disgusted and wants nothing to do with it. This leads to conflict in the couple over whether or not they …show more content…
In the end, Norma is left with major regret of her choice and it is clear that Matheson uses this as a warning of the effects of greediness. In Richard Matheson’s short story “Button, Button”, Norma’s choice to push the button is determined by her selfish and greedy character and is ultimately the cause of her husband's death. Norma begins to justify pushing the button and taking someone's life for the fact that it will be of benefit to her life. When trying to convince her husband that they should push the button she says, “Like for us to have a nicer apartment, nicer furniture, nicer clothes, a car” (593). Norman is more concerned with having these comforts in her own life than the fact that to have them, someone will die. It is clear through Norma's justification that she is a selfish person. In a debate with her husband, Norma questions “If it’s someone you’ve never seen in your life and never will see, someone whose death you don’t even have to know about, you still wouldn’t push the button” (592). This quote portrays the true character of Norma, she doesn’t even consider the impact on others she will have in pushing the button. As long as the death doesn't affect Norma, she isn't concerned with what happens, this is an example of
In the short story “Button, Button”, author Richard Matheson applies an interesting storyline to inform readers of the dangers of greed. The characters, Norman and her husband, Arthur, are presented with an unusual offer from Mr. Steward. The couple is gifted with a strange button that, if they choose to press, will award them $50,000. This offer does come at a cost, being that someone will die when they press the button. Furthermore, Mr Steward guarantees them that it will be someone they know who dies. This proposition intrigues Norma and leads her to try and justify pushing the button, on the contrary, Arthur is disgusted and wants nothing to do with it. This leads to conflict in the couple over whether or not they …show more content…
In the end, Norma is left with major regret of her choice and it is clear that Matheson uses this as a warning of the effects of greediness. In Richard Matheson’s short story “Button, Button”, Norma’s choice to push the button is determined by her selfish and greedy character and is ultimately the cause of her husband's death. Norma begins to justify pushing the button and taking someone's life for the fact that it will be of benefit to her life. When trying to convince her husband that they should push the button she says, “Like for us to have a nicer apartment, nicer furniture, nicer clothes, a car” (593). Norman is more concerned with having these comforts in her own life than the fact that to have them, someone will die. It is clear through Norma's justification that she is a selfish person. In a debate with her husband, Norma questions “If it’s someone you’ve never seen in your life and never will see, someone whose death you don’t even have to know about, you still wouldn’t push the button” (592). This quote portrays the true character of Norma, she doesn’t even consider the impact on others she will have in pushing the button. As long as the death doesn't affect Norma, she isn't concerned with what happens, this is an example of