Victim by Oliver Smithfield

In this essay I intend to explore the narrative conventions and values, which Oliver Smithfield presents in the short story Victim. The short story positions the reader to have negative and sympathetic opinion on the issues presented. Such as power, identity and bullying. For example Mickey the young boy is having issues facing his identity. It could be argued that finding your identity may have the individual stuck trying to fit in with upon two groups.

The main character Mickey is represented as valuing the outcasts of society. He is at an age where identity is important to find and seeking power to prove he can fit in. The issues facing this character have values and attitudes reflecting his actions. Another essential feature of an example is showing the Mickey is trying to prove he is strong, but not tough enough to harm another person so he uses his anger to think about making an irrational decision. “I – I – I’m gonna k – k - kill it! He cried.” This example shows how Mickey is unsure of his decision. As a main character presented we as readers feel sympathy toward him because he is forced to act in a certain way that others will accept him.

Power is defined as an ability to do or act; it represents strength, control and position of authority. Victim is based on identity and how power can have conflicts in certain groups of people, in more in depth a culture. Benda is another main character that represents physical power. This is shown through the way he looks and acts towards other people. “Butch, sensing Mickey’s uncertainty snarled, “You’re such a reject.” They began to close in on him pushing and laughing.”

Butch is described as “a muscly, thick-set boy with a shaved head.” Ras is a character who is also an outcast but has the ability to show he is not afraid to say what he thinks or feels. “Michael…” said Ras softly, “It is not the way.” Mickey is a character who struggles with power and doesn’t know how to show the ability of self-control.