Monday, June 2, 2014

What is the character of Old Misery in "The Destructors"? I need some quotes to support it.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you read the
story carefully and pay particular attention to all the parts which include Old Misery.
Old Misery is a very interesting character in the story. He seems to be a real mix of
traits, and of course Trevor in particular takes advantage of his kindness to launch his
plan.


The first thing we find out about Old Misery is a bit
about his background:


readability="7">

Old Misery - whose real name was Thomas - had
once been a builder and decorator. He lived alone in the crippled house, doing for
himself...



So he lives alone,
and his attitude with the boys shows that he is lonely and wants company. When Trevor
asks to be shown around the house, Old Misery gladly gives him a tour, and is open about
his trip.


Note too how Old Misery reacts when he discovers
the boys have been using his toilet:


readability="7">

"I'm not unreasonable. Been a boy myself. As long
as things are done regular. I don't mind you playing around the place. Saturday
mornings. Sometimes I like company. Only its got to be regular.... And you come in at
the front door and out at the back. No garden
walls."



Old Misery therefore
can be said to be a man who runs his life by traditional, ordered values, yet he is also
lonely and desirous of company occasionally.


Of course, the
overwhelming impression we are left with is one of pity by the end of the story, as the
author closes his tale with an image of a sobbing Mr. Thomas grieving over the
destruction of his house:


readability="10">

He gave a sobbing cry. "My house," he said,
"Where's my house?"


"How dare you laugh," Mr. Thomas said.
"It was my house. My
house."



The laughter of the
driver somehow exacerbates the pity we feel for Old Misery - his home has been
completely destroyed and the landscape is now completely levelled around Wormsley - the
boys have achieved their act of creation through destruction.

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