Suicide as Escape From Self - Literary Analysis Essay

Introduction

Human trouble and self-troubles are people's major problem and enemy. For the longest time now, people deliver a specific strive to ensure that they escape from self. The self-delivers a source of all the roots of desires, troubles as well as thoughts which could later lead to stressful situations and over-thinking (Baumeister, 1990). Thus, such events could easily push an individual into escaping self and committing suicide (Joiner, 2007). Also, the circumstances of escape from self; align with the aspects of the evolution of the human mind (Isaac, 1983). However, "The Suicides of Private Greaves" by James Moffett is a short story that conveys the actions of individuals in the times of hard life and decisions that push them into suicide. The short story "The Suicides of Private Greaves" is literary writing delivered from an anonymous narration with the use of multiple characters to provide the point of view (Rosenbaum, 1970).

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Through the use of this style, James Moffett reveals the complexity of the characters and also provide a discussion on their psychological state among other factors that would lead to suicide (Frya,1957). The multiple roles, which include the protagonist, deliver the narration by limiting the first-person point of view. Similarly, other stories are applying the use of anonymous narrative by utilizing the multiple character point of view. The stories not only deliver information or the message through a single character but offers points of view by multiple characters. For example, the story "Fever Flower" by Shirley Ann Grau is a story based on multiple character point of view (Grau, 2017). Also, the story "Inez" by Merle Hodge is another story based on a multiple character point of view.

"The Suicides of Private Greaves" by James Moffett short story begins with an incident of suicide by one of the trainees "Greaves" through the proceeding of the first section of the story; trainees are seen hurling to the direction of the noise. Greaves has already been rescued from his suicide attempt, as one the trainees say, "you should have seen him at first, with that round head of his he looked like the reddest tomato you ever saw. And fighting-Jesus Christ..." At different perceptions, characters are heard discussing the occurrence and wondering whether Greaves tried to kill himself and another feel that he is stupid. For example, one is heard saying, "You are a great pan in the ass, Greaves. Do you know that?" with the statement, it mentions that Greaves has been known for making quick decisions. Although the author of the short story tries to use multiple-character point of view making the story intricate and sophisticated, the message and meaning of the story are outright clear. The meaning of the story is that personal troubles and challenges may push an individual to specific problems that lead to prompt decisions which in one way or another may deliver complicated outcomes (Thomas & Baumeister, 1991); as portrayed by James Moffett as he tries to involves multiple-character in the story.

Greaves is used to delivering the meaning of the short story through his suicide attempts. Moreover, the author provides significant attention to details that make each of the multi-characters vital for the overall delivery of the full story regarding suicide. Precisely, there is the use of characters such as Sgt. Clinton. In the use of Greaves to provide actual meaning, we see Sgt. Clinton trying to ask him and get to understand why he would want to kill himself. After a clear conversation with Sgt. Clinton, Greaves is still unwilling to point out the real troubles he is going through. For example, Greaves says no after Sgt. Clinton asks him, "Has anyone been making difficult for you in the platoon here?" (526) "Now do not be afraid to tell me. You know I do not tolerate any rough stuff in my platoon." Again, Greaves says no. after numerous attempts, greaves finally told Sgt. Clinton, "I do not know." Implying that he has no idea as to why he tried to commit suicide.

The main character in the story, Greaves, feels isolated and does not think anyone could understand his situation considering the happenings. Furthermore, the author of this short story continues with the delivery of information by introducing new characters. It is outright clear that Greaves is willing to die as he tries to commit suicide once more. After Sgt. Clinton could not do much, Greaves is introduced to the first Sergeant, Master Sergeant Brodder, who is strict and feared in the platoon (527). There is a sense of irony utilized in the story; for instance, Sgt. Brodder states, "I do not understand this suicide business. In the Old Army, we had to stop them from killing each other. Now they want to kill themselves..." (528). Through a series of counter-arguments and orders, Sgt. Brodder does not strive to make Greaves feel any better or talking him out of the suicide business. However, he presses hard and tries to intimidate (Bucke, 2009) Greaves into coming into his senses and make him understand that suicide is not an option in the platoon or preferably for a man regardless of the challenges and troubles that one may be facing in their daily activities (Baumeister, 1997).

Nonetheless, there is a breakthrough as Greaves now starts opening up about issues that might be consuming him inside and pushing him to the limits of committing suicide. He crumples, "I do not ... like it here." (532) Which depicts on some of the issues that Greaves might be battling. Additionally, Greaves is seen drawing a knife that he cuts his writs with another suicide attempt; however, Krita held Greave's hands before he could bleed a lot. (535). Moreover, another way that the author tries to deliver his message home is through the conversation involving Greaves and the captain. As the captain tries to ask Greaves whether he thinks he his crazy, Greaves brings about the issue of depression. "he said something about depression. Same as you sir" (540).

Similarly, with the story involving the effects of over-thinking and depression in human life, there is a relation to the story, Afterword of Points of View: An Anthology of Short Stories, by James Moffett and Kenneth McElhney. In the concepts of this story, the author assumes the use of different literary skills to deliver the meaning and actual message of the story to the intended audience with the use of no character point of view. For instance, it offers that stories are about how they are told as well as pointing out that one cannot separate a tale from saying. Along with other stylistic devices, the author delivers more interest in the story and portraying the message on the short story by assuming the use of other devices interior monologue. (589). Through this, it allows the reader to develop an up-close definition of what the character is going through regarding the thoughts as well as the thinking. Moreover, other stories assume the use of no character point of view. For example, "A New Window Display" by Nicholas Mohr (Holquist & Emerson, 1981), "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson (Jackson, 1948), and "Powerhouse" by Eudora Welty (Welty, 1982).

Conclusion

Correspondingly, the concepts of the story define the different occurrences in line with life situations that could lead to depression (Macphail, 1998). If there is a thing that the story does better, is the ability to deliver the precise definition of events surrounding the story. In consideration to the story's ability to collect facts and present moments, it reminisces on specific occurrences that define the capacity of thought and ideas that could lead to one thing or another (Van et al. 2010). The human mind entails a collection of thoughts and experiences that in different perceptions deliver an implication of the actual effects to the human behaviors and personal existence as well (Maris & Lazerwitz, 1981). As the story "afterword" uses dialogue to some extent to portray different occurrences, the two stories magnetize each other especially with the organization of the points of view as basic structures of discourse.

Works Cited

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