Essay On Charles By Shirley Jackson

“Charles” Composition The short story, “Charles,” written by Shirley Jackson is about a boy named Laurie who is in kindergarten. This boy is very impish and rude. This is so because he is an older brother and lacks the attention he once possessed. As well as rude, he can be violent, and cause havoc. He lives with his mother, father, and little brother who is only an infant. On Laurie’s first day of kindergarten, he wore overalls with bibs, but since his brother started receiving attention, he began to wear jeans with belts. This apparel was more grown up and tough. Although Laurie was only a little boy, he was physical and cruel. Laurie’s kindergarten year did not begin pleasantly. He was already acting nasty to his mother in the morning, but when he was in school, “Charles hit the teacher” (Jackson, 346). Laurie would tell his mother when he returned home that a boy named Charles was acting naughty. His mother gullibly believed him. She was foolish because Laurie would make ridiculous excuses of why he would have to stay after school. This also made him a liar. Laurie was really causing trouble when he bounced a see-saw off the head of a little girl. He was obviously taking advantage of his size and age. Although Laurie was acting unbelievably mischievous, he did not know any better, and
This proved that he was untrustworthy. Later, the PTA meeting arrived, and forced Laurie’s mother to go. It was her choice, but she wanted to meet Charles’s mother. When she arrived no one mentioned Charles at all. So, after the meeting, Laurie’s mother approached the kindergarten teacher. When she asked about Charles, the teacher responded and said there was no Charles in her classroom. Laurie misbehaved because he lacked attention from his parents. The PTA meeting must have influenced Laurie’s parents to do a better job. Overall, Laurie was an exceptional young man, but he did receive the consideration he