The main character in Evan Hunter’s short story entitled “On the Sidewalk Bleeding” initially believes he is proud to be a Royal, but later realizes he wants to be himself, it is not worth dying for being a Royal, and he wants others to think of him as Andy. His changing in understanding is revealed through the use of symbolism, thoughts, and interactions with other characters (specific techniques).

Quotes:

  • “He rolled away from the jacket and lay quite still, breathing heavily, listening to the sound of his breathing and the sounds of the rain and thinking: Rain is sweet, I’m Andy” (p7, Hunter).
  • “He wondered why he’d never thought of them important to him before, wondered why the rumbles and the jumps and the purple jackets had always seemed so important to him before” (p6, Hunter).
  • “Andy lifted his face from the sidewalk, and his eyes said: Please, please help me…” (p5, Hunter).