The book “The Pigman and Me” is a biography written by Paul Zindel. It talks about a boy named Paul getting into a fight with another boy named John. On the first Friday during the gym period, Paul and Richard were playing paddle games when John demanded a paddle. John refused, considering Joph was rude and unaware of the rule limiting paddle use to 15 minutes. Accidentally, Paul hit John in the eye, giving him a black eye. John then challenged Paulm to a fight the following Monday. Paul’s grandpa, called Nonno Frankie, visited and taught Paul some fighting techniques to prepare him. On Monday, Paul Learned from other students about the fight. After school at 3:00 p.m., Paul and John began fighting, with Paul using Nonno Frankie’s skills. Paul kicked while John punched until Paul tripped and fell, which the crowd mistakenly attributed to John’s punch. Paul chose to stay down, pretending to have lost. Afterward, John left, believing he had won. However, when Moose tried to continue the fight, Paul’s sister intervened and stopped him. So why did John give up the opportunity when he could continue to fight to get more revenge? Let’s discuss his reasoning in terms of perceived victory, public image, and no challenge.
Achieving a perceived victory could bring people to have a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Once people win the victory, such happiness could potentially lead people to let go of thoughts of revenge on someone. Paul tripped himself and fell down. John thought his punch had knocked Paukl down. John was satisfied he won the victory in the fight. When Paul tripped and fell, John, even the crowd, all believed it was a result of John’s punch, giving John the appearance of having won the fight. This perception of victory likely satisfied his need for revenge for his black eye. This reduces his motivation to continue fighting. John didn’t want to make a bad revenge on Paul and give him a black eye too. He just wanted to let Paul feel what it feels like to be hurt. Although victory makes people satisfied, it is important to note that the depth of satisfaction can be different based on personal values and expectations.
Gaining the approval and recognition from a positive public image can provide people a sense of achievement. Such feelings would affect people’s desire to take further revenge, reducing the possibilities of hurting people. The crowd booed Paul with mass condemnation for Sicilian fighting technique. But when John punched Paul while Paul tripped himself and fell down, the crowd cheered for John’s victory. In John’s mind, continuing the fight with Paul might not put his name ina good reputation after “winning” the fight in front of the crowd. John already won the crowd and the crowd already took his side. The acknowledgement from peers provides him a sense of achievement and wins the positive public image. The message of “I have made revenge” has been successfully established and delivered. Holding a positive public image may encourage people to preserve their reputation, avoiding resentful actions.
No challenges, no fighting. The desire of taking further revenge often diminishes due to the opponent’s non-resistance. Without challenges, there might be no reason or incentive to engage in further fights. John fighted with Paul because he wanted to take revenge for his black eye. So he challenged Paul. John knocked Paul down with a punch. After seeing Paul fall down the ground, he thought he won, put his fists down, and turned to leave. Paul chose to stay down on the ground and not to stand up to fight again. Paul made no further resistance. This might lead John to feel there is no challenge left to continue fighting. John was satisfied that justice had been made and his black eye had been avenged. Why bother to make more fighting? If John insisted on fighting, unnecessary damage or hurt would be made, which might hurt the positive public image he just earned. When there is no longer a challenge, any previous argument or conflict may be seen as resolved, which removes the need to continue fighting.
The book “The Pigman and Me” is an interesting and fun story, centering on two boys fighting each other and taking revenge. Paul hit John, resulting in John having a black eye. John was angry and taking revenge on Paul. The revenge or challenge was quick and simple. John could have continued fighting but he chose not to do so. John thinks that he already won the game and won the victory. The crowd all stood on his side and cheered for him when Paul fell down the ground. Also, John thinks there is no more challenge left. This story implies that people should think more before taking further actions so they could avoid some misunderstanding. Also, people should get the right amount of things they desire, like having small revenge without hurting people much.
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