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“Fine…but you do look tired. Want to change over tomorrow?” From the quote the author implies that Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are a sick and twisted couple. After you understand that the two of them switch personalities for their own entertainment, your opinion is twisted to see whom The Johnson’s really are, two bizarre individuals that play with random citizen’s lives. I now have a better understanding of how easily people can be manipulated just with a smile and an offering of friendship, such as a peanut.
No one would expect a little old man to be such an omen. “…He was a small man, and the tie was perhaps a shade vivid, Mr. Johnson irradiated this feeling of well being…” This section from the story shows how well dressed Mr. Johnson is and his general mood for today. Mr. Johnson’s gentle inviting appearance is important to the story because it assists him in drawing in prey. The author describes Mr. Johnson as a happy, innocent, well-dressed citizen to show how he uses his appearance to lure in a victim.
Analysis of Author's Purpose
Humans can be more than just dull companions; they can be items of entertainment, like a child’s play toy. The big city is an easy place for a predator to identify his prey. The author uses this setting to show how one man can influence an entire city. Powered by vanity, the man runs the city. Humans are scared vulnerable to suggestion.
In a large group of people, exploiting someone is much easier. “…While an amused group of people loitering, examining the scratches on the tables and worn spots on the chairs, and a harassed woman, trying to watch a young child and the movers and the furniture all at the same time…Mr. Johnson stopped, and for a moment joined the crowd.” In this quotation it is clear that Mr. Johnson is trying to identify any signs of distress and then he will use the problem to exploit the woman further. This action is an example of how Mr. Johnson scopes for people that are vulnerable. The author’s purpose of writing this passage is to explain that people are vulnerable and easily exploited, even in today’s society.
Large cities seem to be full of greedy and boring citizens. “Moving with comparative laziness, he was passed on either side by people hurrying and frowning…” This quotation shows how easily people let their guard down and become easy targets. The author picked a large city to demonstrate the vast variety of easy prey within the story. With this setting the author sets an example of how dull and easily manipulated individuals can be.
