Smitty In The Hangman By Callaghan

April 3rd, 2006

The author also uses characterization to bring out the theme. Even though this short story is only 6 pages long Callaghan really lets us get a feel for the characters. This is done two ways. One is through other characters so that there isn't a bias. The author lets us see other character opinions about the main character Smitty. For example the owner of the hotel describes Smitty as being "A mild, harmless looking guy" and also said he was very "polite." We see what Michael thinks of Smitty as well. Michael describes him as being a "little fellow." Then we see Smitty being described by the narrator over and over again as a "little man." A "shy little man" or a "mild little man" who is filled with enthusiasm at
And why shouldn't he be enthusiastic? He's a hangman and not too many people seem to have befriended him. All the while Michael's only doing this because he's a reporter and he wants to pump Smitty for information. Again we see Michael describe him as being a "nice little guy." So even though on the outside Smitty appears as a hangman and is hated by society because his job is so cruel, on the inside he is actually a real nice guy who doesn't actually even really like his job he just accepts that that's his job and he has to do it. As the story progresses Michael begins to see this and has a great evening fishing with Smitty. The author clearly shows us that Smitty is very happy and is very eager to see Michael again the following morning for some more fishing. So eager that he doesn't realize Michael doesn't want to be seen with him. But when Michael does avoid him he feels ashamed of himself because he alone
The author lets us see the real Smitty so that we can judge him for who he is. The author also shows us Michael's personality. We see him as being young, ambitious and he looks forward to being a city reporter. But he unexpectedly makes friends with the hangman. Now he becomes faced with this internal conflict of whether or not to stand up for his friend or just stand idly by because he's afraid of what others will think of him. We see him making this decision when he's standing alone and eventually goes to join the crowd. The same goes for any real life situation, which I'm sure many of you have experienced where you're influenced by peer pressure; maybe with drugs or to vandalize or even to bully someone. The author is showing us this through characterization. Callaghan is trying to show that even though Smitty is viewed as being socially appalling on the outside. On the inside he's actually a very nice, normal, person. This is why we must think for ourselves and not just go with the social norm and do what others expect of