OPPapers.com

Character

In the Story “Contents of a Dead Man’s Pocket,” by Jack Finny, Tom Benecke’s incorrect priorities in life almost bring his life to an end. The importance of his work and “getting ahead,” conceal what he should be focusing on; his wife and living his life to the fullest. The first glimpse of his ‘workaholic-ism’ is seen when his wife asks him if he is positive he doesn’t want to go to the double feature movie with her. At this time, he denies the invitation, and says he needs to finish up this pitch for his work. This implies that he has been working overtime, progressively more and more, to get the data for the development of this project. He fantasizes of a future life of luxury, wealth, and happiness after this simple yellow slip of paper is used to his advantage. He’s been working on the material written on this little paper for weeks, maybe even months, but his approval of himself for finishing this project all flies out the window, literally. The little deed swept up with the wind, and blew straight out onto the foot-long ledge. This is where his ignorance of his lifetime priorities is seen the clearest. He understands that he is risking his life going out on this ledge, but he cares so much about artificial things that he’s willing to put it all on the line. Why in the world would anyone in the right mind step out onto a ledge, of not just any building but an eleven story building, for a single slip of paper? We really aren’t sure… but as he stupidly climbs out the window, steps onto the ledge, moves his feet closer to the paper, the window shuts behind him. His life flashes before his eyes, and he understands the full consequence of his action. I think this is the exact moment where he realizes what life is all about…living. After he receives the paper and is in control of it once again, he now faces another challenge, getting back into the comfort of his home. He realizes that he’ll have to break the glass with a single punch of his fist. Because of...