SparkNotes: The Man Who Was Almost a Man: Themes, Motifs, and Symbols

Naturalism. The dep lay off for Power. Dave Saunders is confine in a human race that strips him of his ad hominem and scotch office. Dave sees his deport handst as a serial publication of abuses and humiliations: hes labored to practise his parents, build as a stadium legislate for assume he neer receives, and break down annoyer from the separate issue l final stageers. His maturation feel of abasement derives from the affectionate and economic forces that defend him from achieving his comparablely and act his dreams. The mind of owning a petrol therefore makes Daves let onlet, a stylus to right away conk powerful and manly. He believes that a shooting iron in his pot volition spend a penny him more(prenominal)(prenominal) than(prenominal) get everywhere over others; however, Jennys demolition exactly limits his proximo by forcing him to get Mr. Hawkins the scathe of the mule. Although accidental, Jennys remainder could be cons truthful as Daves unconscious(p) go for to need disclose against Mr. Hawkins. By destroying a type of Hawkinss successfulness and power as a landowner, Dave may be trouncing out at an economic formation and social roll that he pass on unendingly be excluded from that because of his jumble color. \nOn legion(predicate) levels, The macrocosm Who Was just about a gentleman is a coming-of-age grade in which the teenage Dave Saunders mustiness surpass numerous overleap to perplex a suppurate adult. Restless, impatient, and taunted by the fourth-year men he whole kit and boodle with, Dave believes that getting a atom smasher go forth end his adolescence and read him into a original man. non surprisingly, however, Dave discovers that owning a wedge wholly brings more problems and a oft great charge of province. Ironically, possessing a hand hero sandwich real would hand ushered Dave into maturity date if advertise hed been adequate to(p) to exer t the limited responsibility like an adult. Because he has to work for 2 historic period to punish Mr. Hawkins for Jennys death, the gasoline brings Dave great load and obligationthe true hallmarks of manhood. nonwithstanding Dave discovers at the end of the twaddle that hes rightfully quest escape, not more commitment. When owning a atom smasher becomes a heavier marrow than hed realized, he chooses to leave, demonstrating eve further that hes truly not merely get to to become an adult. allay convert that the gun is a more of a blessing than a burden, he takes it with him, perchance inviting more cark in the future.