On the Sidewalk Bleeding by Evan Hunter

The main character in Evan Hunter’s short story entitled “On the Sidewalk Bleeding” Initially believes that being a royal is a privilege, but later understands it’s an indignant curse. His changing understanding is revealed through the use of symbolism, setting, and internal thought.

Evidence 1.

“That’s for you royal” the voice had said. “That’s for you, Royal!” Even in his pain, there had been some sort of pride in knowing he was a Royal. Now there was no pride at all. With the rain beginning to chill him, with the blood pouring steadily between his fingers, he knew only a sort of dizziness. He could only think: I want to be Andy. ”

Evidence 2

“He watched the world passing at him at the other end of the alley. The world didn’t know he was Andy. The world didn’t know he was alive. He wanted to say, “Hey, I’m alive!” Hey, look at me! I’m alive! Don’t you know I’m alive? Don’t you know I exist?”

Evidence 3

“The alley looked very long now. He could see people passing at the other end of it, and he wondered who those people were, and he wonered if he would ever get to know them, wondered who it was of the Guardians who had stabbed him, who had plunged the knife into his body.”